12 September,2026 07:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
A BEST bus plies on JSS Road in Girgaon after the stretch was restored following Metro work
After nearly nine years of inconvenience caused by diversions during Metro construction, BEST bus services are finally returning to Girgaon's Jagannath Shankarsheth (JSS) Road. This follows a report in mid-day, and residents have thanked the newspaper for giving this gift ahead of Ganeshotsav.
"We thank mid-day and BEST Committee chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao for restoring the buses after nine long years. Many of them have been restored partially as of now, as the traffic police is yet to solve the issue of water tanker parking and clear the roads. Also, there are Ganpati festival restrictions in place as of now. After the festival, we will push for complete restoration of bus routes," long-time resident and former corporator Dilip Naik, who has been spearheading the battle for buses, told mid-day.
Girgaon resident and former corporator Dilip Naik
Five BEST routes - 66, 69, 86, 88, and 126 - were diverted through Maharshi Karve Road in April 2017 after JSS Road was excavated for the construction of the Girgaon and Kalbadevi Metro stations. The long-pending issue gained momentum after Naik pursued the matter with BEST officials for several months, followed by a report in mid-day. The BEST committee chairperson also took up the issue and directed officials to restore the bus routes to their original alignment.
Naik, who has been pursuing the restoration for the past three months, said residents had waited long enough for the buses to return after the road was restored. Sixty-year-old Vilas Vasant Dali, a resident of Ekta Co-operative Society, said the diversion had created considerable hardship for residents. "The buses are back now, and it will help senior citizens and students in a big way," he said.
Girgaon resident and former corporator Dilip Naik
As part of the effort to improve public transport facilities in the area, modern bus shelters will also be constructed at four BEST bus stops in Girgaon. The work is expected to begin shortly, providing improved facilities for passengers once the bus services are restored.
According to officials, bus services will resume through Girgaon from September 11 and will initially operate at least up to Thakurdwar Naka, before continuing via Maharshi Karve Road. After the Ganpati immersion period, the services are expected to be extended through the Charni Road/Chira Bazaar stretch as well.
"The development follows a meeting held at Vishwasrao's office with Shiv Sena functionaries Prathamesh Shah, Nilesh Bhoite, and Kavita Malhar, along with BEST officials concerned. The officials assured the meeting that the services would be restored in phases," Naik said.
"I have directed officials to restore the bus routes to their original alignment and it will be done soon," Vishwasrao had told mid-day earlier, following complaints from residents about the prolonged diversion.
