Mumbai: Citizens’ forum Amchi Mumbai Amchi BEST (AMAB) on Sunday strongly opposed the state govt’s proposal to redevelop BEST depots through long-term leases to private developers, calling the move “the last nail in the coffin” of Mumbai’s public bus undertaking. It warned that once malls, residential towers, theatres and shopping complexes come up on depot land, commercial interests would inevitably take precedence over public transport needs. The AMAB plans to protest and will petition BEST General Manager Sonia Sethi in this connection.The forum said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ recent assurance that “depot land would remain in BEST’s ownership” does not address the key concern that commercial redevelopment could drastically reduce operational space required for bus parking, maintenance workshops and staff facilities.According to the organisation, BEST’s 26 depots are public assets built over decades through the efforts of the undertaking’s workforce and are essential for housing an expanded fleet of buses. Handing them over for commercial use, it argued, would undermine the future of the city’s bus network rather than strengthen it.The forum also rejected claims that redevelopment revenues would benefit public transport, asserting that the move reflects a broader attempt to gradually ‘privatise’ both bus services and valuable public land. A BEST official denied this charge and said that the non-fare revenue generated will be used to buy new buses and for modernisation (use of technology) of the fleet. “We continue as public transport service across Mumbai and there is no such objective of privatisation of fleet,” an official said.Recently, after a strike of BEST employees was called off, a decision was taken to buy 5,000 BEST-owned buses, and this was announced by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who intervened and convinced the employees’ union to withdraw the stir.Referring to this three-day strike in June, the group said the disruption highlighted the city’s dependence on bus services. With suburban railways already overcrowded and metro travel unaffordable for many commuters, BEST remains a critical lifeline for Mumbai’s working population, a media statement issued by AMAB on Saturday said.AMAB questioned why the undertaking has not received stronger financial support if the govt acknowledges its essential role. The forum reiterated its demand that BEST’s budget be merged with that of the BMC, arguing that such a step would help resolve the undertaking’s long-standing financial challenges.The organisation also called for an increase in the number of BEST-owned buses to 6,000 initially and eventually 10,000 to improve service frequency, reduce overcrowding and enhance commuter comfort.It urged the govt to halt the long-term leasing of depots for commercial projects, prioritise public transport over developer interests, improve working conditions for employees and ensure a safe, affordable and reliable bus system for Mumbai residents.The AMAB maintained that public transport systems worldwide are treated as essential services and are subsidised by govts rather than expected to operate as profit-making enterprises.
