05 June,2026 05:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Chairing a high-level meeting at his official residence, Varsha, Fadnavis reviewed proposals for the modernisation of BEST bus depots
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday directed the preparation of a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, stressing that the interests of citizens, the welfare of employees, and Mumbai's long-term development must remain at the core of the project.
Chairing a high-level meeting at his official residence, Varsha, Fadnavis reviewed proposals for the modernisation of BEST bus depots and outlined a roadmap for depot redevelopment, employee housing, public amenities, and financial sustainability through coordinated planning among state and civic agencies.
The Chief Minister clarified that no land owned by BEST will be sold as part of the redevelopment plan. Instead, projects will be executed through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and long-term lease models, while ownership of assets will remain with BEST.
He emphasised that transparency and coordination among all stakeholders were essential and directed agencies to submit a detailed, time-bound proposal to the government.
Fadnavis said depot redevelopment should not be limited to commercial use but must also include public infrastructure such as museums, sports facilities, cultural spaces and other community amenities.
He also suggested exploring dedicated 300-400-seat cinema halls at select depots to promote Marathi films at concessional rates, along with modern residential complexes for BEST employees to improve living conditions.
The Chief Minister said planning must align with the broader vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047' and called for a detailed 22-year projection of BEST's requirements, including fleet expansion, workforce needs, revenue generation and expenditure planning.
He also highlighted Mumbai's growing parking challenges, suggesting that large-scale parking infrastructure be integrated into depot redevelopment plans to ease congestion.
To reduce traffic congestion, Fadnavis proposed developing transport hubs at key entry points, including Dahisar, Mankhurd, Anand Nagar (Mulund), LBS Road and Airoli Naka. These hubs would facilitate bus parking and passenger facilities, reducing the need for private and intercity buses to enter Mumbai's core areas.
BEST General Manager Dr Sonia Sethi presented a redevelopment blueprint for all 22 depots across 132 acres in Mumbai under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model.
The proposal includes expansion of the bus fleet by 7,000 vehicles, development of EV charging infrastructure, employee housing, and creation of commercial and public amenities such as retail spaces, urban plazas, art galleries and parking facilities.
Officials said the proposed redevelopment model draws inspiration from international transport systems in cities like Singapore, Paris, Hong Kong and London, aiming to modernise Mumbai's public transport infrastructure while ensuring financial viability.
