Source : PTI | Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday asked authorities to draw a redevelopment blueprint for the BEST undertaking, a civic transport and electricity provider in Mumbai, with citizens’ welfare, employees interests and city’s long-term development as its primary focus.
Chairing a meeting on the modernisation of BEST-run bus depots, Fadnavis said the proposed plan should focus on depot redevelopment, staff housing, public amenities and ensuring the transport utility’s long-term financial sustainability.
He suggested examining the feasibility of establishing 300-400-seat theatres dedicated to Marathi cinema at select depots.
“The proposal should be prepared keeping in mind three key pillars — public interest, employees’ welfare and the city’s long-term development,” he said.
The chief minister clarified that BEST-owned land would not be sold as part of the redevelopment exercise.
“Ownership of land and assets will remain with BEST ((Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport undertaking). Development will be carried out through PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model and long-term lease arrangements,” he emphasised.
According to an official presentation made during the meeting, BEST plans to redevelop 22 bus depots spread across 132 acres in the metropolis with world-class infrastructure under the PPP model.
The proposal includes induction of 7,000 new buses, installation of smart EV charging infrastructure, construction of employee housing and development of commercial complexes, retail malls, urban plazas, art galleries and public parking facilities.
Fadnavis stressed depot redevelopment should not be restricted to commercial activity and must incorporate social and cultural infrastructure such as museums, sports facilities and cultural centres.
The chief minister directed officials to prepare a long-term roadmap aligned with the vision of ‘Developed Maharashtra’ and ‘Developed India 2047’, taking into account future fleet requirements, manpower needs, revenue streams and expenditure.
To address Mumbai’s traffic congestion, he proposed developing octroi checkposts at Dahisar, Mankhurd, Mulund and Airoli as transport hubs where incoming buses from outside the city could be parked and passengers provided boarding and alighting facilities.
BEST General Manager Dr Sonia Sethi informed the meeting that the undertaking intends to modernise all 22 bus depots on the lines of such facilities in global cities such as Singapore, Paris, Hong Kong and London.
The projects are proposed to be implemented under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model, the presentation stated.
