BMC proposes Rs 34 crore capital money for BEST

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed Rs 34 crore as capital investment for the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, which is facing severe financial crisis. It has earmarked Rs 3 crore for 50 per cent concession to senior citizen commuters under the scheme. This will be applicable to non-AC buses only.

The losses in the civic transport department continue to rise and expected losses this year are Rs 1022 crore. Hence, the civic authority last year prepared a revival plan but it has not been operationalised.

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta told reporters after the post-budget convention, “We’ve identified certain reform measures like wet leasing of buses, rationalisation of bus configuration, routes and rationalisation of allowances for employees.”

“However, we’ve also made it clear that reforms will be implemented without any retrenchment of employees. We had also advised BEST to incorporate correct accounting practices and put in place a business development plan,” he said.

Mr Mehta also proposed a provision of Rs 10 crore as an employee welfare measure for repair of their dilapidated housing quarters.

He also said that an efficient system would ensure quality service at affordable cost to the consumer. To achieve this, it was now imperative that BEST adopted practice and business models in keeping with acclaimed public transport systems.