Mumbai: A proposal by BEST to shift the bus stop for Churchgate- and CSMT-bound services from near the Gateway of India to the Museum area ran into strong opposition at a committee meeting on Monday, with panel members insisting that the stop remain at its present location for the convenience of commuters and tourists. The proposal has now been kept on hold.The proposal mentioned that the suggestion was made by Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. In a recent letter to BEST, a copy of which is with TOI, Narwekar suggested that BEST shift the bus stop to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay (Museum near Regal Circle) due to vehicular congestion at the existing bus stop at Gateway of India and following complaints from the public. “Due to the congestion, there is major inconvenience to tourists, other members of the public and motorists,” he said in the letter. TOI tried to reach out to him on Monday, but he was not available for comment.Several BEST panel members argued that moving the stop away from the Gateway would only benefit share taxi operators, who they alleged routinely overcharge passengers, especially tourists.BEST panel member Nitin Nandgaonkar of Sena UBT said foreigners and other passengers are often fleeced by taxi operators, who charge anywhere between Rs 50 and Rs 100 per seat for trips to Churchgate or CSMT. He said BEST buses are a far better and more affordable option for tourists coming from across India and should remain accessible from the Gateway itself. “It will help people switch to this option. We oppose shifting the bus stop from there to the Museum,” he said.A BEST official said that the issue was regarding congestion at the location, which would be cleared if the bus stop was shifted to another location. Two routes operate from the Gateway of India — A-112 to Churchgate and A-116 to CSMT. According to BEST officials, these services cater to around 1,200 passengers per bus on average daily. From Monday to Saturday, 436 bus trips generate Rs 1.17 lakh in revenue, while on holidays, 598 double-decker trips earn Rs 1.98 lakh.Another BEST panel member Sunil Ahir also opposed the move, alleging that the shift would indirectly promote share taxis. “For just Rs 12, we are giving a facility to tourists,” he said, stressing that affordable public transport should be encouraged over exploitative informal services.BEST committee chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao said the bus service was operating at a full profit and argued that share taxis should be stopped, before referring the proposal back to the administration.Ends
