Mumbai: The BMC standing committee on Friday did not take up the proposal for the disbursement of Rs 1,000 crore to the cash-strapped BEST undertaking after members raised concerns over fund utilisation, shrinking bus fleets, wet-lease operations and unpaid dues. The standing committee instead demanded that the BEST depute a representative to provide information about its financial condition.According to the BMC, a total of Rs 12,312 crore has been provided to the BEST as financial assistance between 2012-13 and 2025-26. Committee members pointed to the reduction in the number of buses deployed on roads, recent bus accidents, alleged mismanagement in the deployment of leased buses and the non-payment of retirement benefits to BEST employees. Members also said that the accidents are being caused by drivers recruited on temporary basis.Standing committee chairman Prabhakar Shinde directed the BMC administration to ensure that a representative from BEST appears before the panel and explains how the undertaking has utilised the financial assistance provided by BMC so far, as well as the measures being undertaken to improve its condition. Shinde also said that the chief minister had held a meeting on June 5 to discuss ways to get BEST out of its current situation.NCP member Sayeeda Khan said BMC has been providing assistance to BEST for the last 14 years and that there is a need to ascertain how the money is being spent.MNS member Yashwant Killedar said there are deficiencies in both BEST’s transport and electricity supply services. He alleged that drivers are being deployed without proper training and that faulty wet-lease vehicles are also being operated, leading to accidents. He further claimed that outdated power equipment is causing frequent power disruptions across the city, including Dadar and Worli.BMC’s proposal stated that considering the financial condition of BEST and the importance of public transport, a provision of Rs 1,000 crore has been made in the budget estimates for the financial year 2026-27 to assist the undertaking in improving its operational system. The provision also includes an ex gratia grant for BEST employees for Diwali.The BMC has provided substantial financial assistance to the BEST undertaking, but its deficit has continued to increase. It is necessary for the BEST administration to make the undertaking more passenger-centric and efficient while reducing its deficit. There is an urgent need for the BEST administration to make concerted efforts and take immediate steps to restore the undertaking to a vibrant state, the proposal stated.As the BEST owes about Rs 94 crore in property tax, the amount will be deducted from the Rs 1,000 crore being provided by the BMC, and the remaining amount will be released in phases, subject to the availability of funds, the proposal stated.
