Mumbai News: BEST Union Leader Blames BMC’s Statutory Failure And Political Apathy For Undertaking’s Financial Crisis

Mumbai: Suhas Nalawade, General Secretary of the BEST Jagrut Kamgar Sanghatana and former Assistant General Manager (Personnel) of BEST Undertaking, has launched a scathing critique of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), accusing it of dereliction of duty and financial neglect that has crippled Mumbai’s public bus service.

Nalawade emphasized that the ongoing financial crisis at the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking stems directly from the BMC’s failure to fulfill its statutory obligations under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888.

Citing Sections 126(B)(2)(a) and 126(G), he pointed out that the law mandates the BMC to provide financial grants to cover any operational deficit in BEST after fare revenue collection—something the civic body has routinely ignored.

"The BMC is legally and morally obligated to support and expand the public bus fleet. Its failure has weakened the backbone of Mumbai's public transport system," Nalawade stated

He also drew attention to a now-defunct Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 11, 2019, under which BEST committed to scaling its bus fleet to 10,000 vehicles—3,337 of them to be directly owned by BEST. However, the plan was soon abandoned, and political leaders have since shown little interest in reviving the initiative, he claimed.

“In 2019, a bus rationalization plan was introduced to modernize and improve public transport, but concerns about declining revenue prevented its full execution,” Nalawade said. “The BMC had promised Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to offset the losses, but this too was never honored.”

Nalawade further criticized the inaction surrounding a unanimously passed resolution that sought to integrate the BEST budget into the BMC’s overall budget—a move that would have ensured sustainable funding. Despite the resolution, no steps were taken at the state level to implement the integration.

The BEST workers' union is now urging citizens to demand transparency and accountability from both BMC and BEST management. According to the Nalawade, only public pressure can force authorities to act on financial mismanagement and prevent future fare hikes that disproportionately affect the city’s working class.

“The people of Mumbai deserve better. Affordable and reliable public transport isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity,” Nalawade concluded.

Varsha Gaikwad Slams Proposed Fare Hike, Alleges Deliberate Move to Dismantle BEST

In a statement posted on social media platform X, on Monday Mumbai Congress President and Member of Parliament Varsha Gaikwad criticized the proposed fare hike in Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses, calling it a blow to the city’s poor and working-class population. Gaikwad accused the government of deliberately undermining the city's once-model public transport system to make way for a privatised, profit-driven model.

“More than 31 lakh Mumbaikars depend on BEST for their daily commute. A steep fare increase will not fix BEST’s problems — it will only push Mumbai’s most affordable transport option out of reach for the poor and middle class,” she said.

Gaikwad further alleged that the government’s continued reliance on the controversial wet lease model and its plans to monetise or sell BEST depots point to a “sinister plan” to dismantle the organisation. “Instead of strengthening this vital public service, the government is bent on shrinking its reach,” she stated.

Highlighting the disproportionate government spending priorities, Gaikwad questioned why thousands of crores are being spent on metro projects and expressways while BEST struggles with inadequate funding. “Why this discrimination? Public transport is an essential service — not a business to be run for private profit,” she said.

The Congress leader laid out a four-point demand, calling for an immediate end to the wet lease model, halting the monetisation or sale of depots, expanding the BEST-owned bus fleet, and securing increased financial support from the BMC and Maharashtra government.

“Let’s act now to stop BEST’s destruction. Mumbai deserves a reliable, affordable, fully public-run bus service,” Gaikwad urged, rallying citizens to raise their voice in support of public transport utility.

Aaditya Thackeray Opposes Proposed BEST Fare Hike, Calls for Expansion of Electric Bus Fleet

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray sharply criticized the BJP-led Maharashtra government for the proposed fare hike of BEST buses, calling the move “an attempt to choke the city and squeeze more money from the pockets of Mumbaikars.”

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, on Monday ,Thackeray stated that the plan to hike fares would adversely affect the city’s working population and undermine Mumbai’s most vital public transport lifeline.

“The way to revive BEST is NOT by increasing the fares but by increasing the fleet size,” Thackeray wrote. He emphasized that the government should instead infuse public funds into the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking and expand its fleet to 10,000 electric buses, including mini, medium, long, and double-decker models.

He called for maintaining the current flat fare system, preserving the iconic red color of the buses by stopping advertisements that wrap the buses in “ugly advert colours,” and investing in future technologies like hydrogen-powered buses.

Currently, BEST serves over 31 lakh commuters daily, and Thackeray warned that any attempt to weaken the service would have severe consequences for the city.

“This fare hike is not about economics; it’s about dismantling public infrastructure to benefit a few,” he said, pledging to oppose the proposed fare increase vehemently.

Dabbawala Association Calls for Reforms to Avoid Fare Hikes

Subhash Talekar, President of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association, has strongly voiced concerns over the functioning of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking. In a detailed statement, Talekar said that BEST, once considered lifeline of Mumbai along with the local trains, has seen a steady decline due to mismanagement and lack of financial discipline.

He criticized the administration for failing to bring in innovative ideas and for showing no interest in increasing passenger numbers. "The attitude of BEST officials is indifferent.

He pointed out that many valuable land parcels owned by BEST across Mumbai — from Colaba to Dahisar and Mulund — are lying idle and underutilized. Instead of increasing fares, Talekar suggested a set of reforms to bring BEST back on track.

"BEST management should enforce strict financial discipline, optimize routes and maintain only essential ones, reduce the size of buses on congested routes, monetize idle real estate through commercial partnerships, and utilize advertising spaces more effectively" sated Talekar. Talekar stressed that if these measures are taken seriously, BEST could become financially viable without any fare hike.

He further highlighted a contentious issue — the burden of transport losses being covered by BEST's electricity division. "The losses of BEST’s transport wing are being unfairly recovered from electricity consumers in South Mumbai," he said, calling it a form of exploitation.

According to Talekar people from the extended suburbs — Mira-Bhayandar, Thane, Navi Mumbai — benefit from BEST’s services while the financial losses are passed on to residents of Mumbai Island City.He concluded by demanding that the surplus revenue collected through inflated electricity bills be refunded to Mumbai’s electricity consumers.

AIMIM Maharashtra Announces Mass Protest Against BEST Fare Hike, Vows to Defend Mumbai’s Public Transport

AIMIM Maharashtra has sounded the bugle against the proposed fare hike in Mumbai’s BEST bus services, calling it a direct attack on the city’s working class and a veiled step toward the privatization of public transport.

According to AIMIM Maharashtra General Secretary Ateeque Ahmed Khan, party will launch a massive, peaceful, and constitutional protest march starting from the Govandi Shivaji Nagar New Bus Depot. The date and time of the demonstration will be announced shortly.

Under the leadership of Party Chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Maharashtra President Syed Imtiyaz Jaleel, AIMIM has condemned the proposed fare hike. The move has sparked outrage among the nearly 31 lakh daily commuters who rely on BEST buses — particularly the working class, laborers, and middle-income families.

“This is not just about bus fares. This is about the silent privatization of Mumbai’s public assets — the slow dismantling of BEST. We will not allow it,” said Ateeque Ahmed Khan.

AIMIM leaders have issued a stern warning to the state government: roll back the proposed fare hike or face unprecedented public resistance.

AIMIM’s other key demands include a permanent halt to any privatization efforts involving BEST, expansion of the public bus fleet to at least 6,000 vehicles, and assurance of affordable, reliable transport for every Mumbaikar.

Framing the protest as a people’s movement, AIMIM urged all citizens to join hands in the campaign to #SaveBEST.

“This is the beginning of a people’s movement. Mumbai belongs to its people — not to corporate bidders,” declared party leaders.

The party has assured that all protest activities will remain peaceful and within the framework of the Constitution, even as it prepares to mobilize public opinion and street power in defense of Mumbai’s public transport system.

news