Mumbai: An inspection of the Kurla BEST depot by BEST committee member Ajay Singh, along with committee members Santosh Medhekar and Sanjay Wakode, has revealed a series of operational and infrastructural shortcomings affecting both staff and commuters.During the visit, the team interacted with drivers and conductors, who raised concerns about inadequate basic amenities, including poorly maintained rest rooms, insufficient canteen facilities, and lack of clean drinking water. Employees said these issues have persisted for a long time, impacting their working conditions.A major concern that emerged during the inspection was the poor condition of several O wet lease electric buses operating from the depot. According to the report, multiple buses have been suffering from serious “air pressure leakage” issues for months and this impacts the brakes and can lead to brake failure, said Singh.“Despite repeated complaints, buses bearing numbers such as 1024, 8611, 8545, and others continue to be deployed, often breaking down mid-route and disrupting services,” he said.Staff members also alleged delays in maintenance and repairs by the wet lease company, with several buses operating without functional air conditioning systems. This has led to discomfort for passengers, especially during peak summer conditions.The inspection further highlighted inadequate charging infrastructure. Of the approximately 75 wet lease buses belonging to an operator at the depot, only 14 charging points are available. Similarly, around 20 buses from another operator rely on just two functional charging guns, leading to delays and reduced fleet availability.Additionally, a shortage of drivers has resulted in nearly 50% of buses remaining idle, compounding service gaps.Singh has urged the concerned authorities and companies to take immediate corrective action to address these issues and ensure reliable, safe and efficient transport services for Mumbai’s commuters.
