Mumbai: BEST’s electric push raises questions over unused CNG infrastructure

The CNG pump at Ghatkopar bus depot is inaugurated by BEST officials in 2023. Pics/By Special Arrangement

In a city that runs on clockwork precision only when its lifelines are respected, Mumbai's public transport story seems to have hit a coordination miscalculation. Even as Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL) spent years building a dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) supply ecosystem for Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses - laying pipelines, setting up high-capacity dispensing stations, and investing heavily to ensure seamless fuelling at 15 of its depots - the undertaking's decision now to go 100 per cent electric has raised questions about how lack of a transport policy in this city is leading to disconnect and decision making in silos.

BEST has a well-established CNG infrastructure at 15 depots, which can fuel over 4000 buses daily. However, it is currently underutilised, operating at just 17 per cent capacity, primarily due to the adoption of electric buses. By leveraging this underused resource, BEST can quickly adopt a safer, more sustainable fleet.

It was these dedicated pipelines that helped in a big way during the November 2025 CNG crisis when BEST depots were prioritised in MGL's supply allocation with special nighttime refuelling that brought CNG buses back on the road. As of today, the BEST has a fleet of 1295 wet-leased, CNG-fuelled buses - 629 full-sized, non-AC models and 666 midi AC buses, which are staffed by employees of Mateshwari Urban Transport and Daga Group, respectively.

The depots have also been dispensing fuel to private vehicles under a scheme called MGL Tez, but transport experts said that with the BEST targeting a 100 per cent electric bus fleet, the undertaking will be left without any CNG public transport buses at all. Moreover, CNG buses have demonstrated consistent performance and safety in urban transportation systems globally, proving their viability.

"During last month's crisis, the dedicated system ensured that BEST was a priority customer and they received uninterrupted gas supply, highlighting exactly why that network had been deemed essential infrastructure. But with the declining CNG fleet and promises to go 100 per cent electric, these dedicated fuel points would be rendered useless for public transport buses, though they will remain available for private vehicles," an official said.

The scheme

MGL and BEST's joint programme MGL Tez uses the existing CNG infrastructure inside BEST depots and opens it up (app-based booking) to outside vehicles as well. Launched in 2023, the service was available only at Ghatkopar and Goregaon Oshiwara bus depots. However, by April 2025, MGL announced the expansion of MGL Tez to 13 additional BEST depots spread across the city and suburbs. For a city already starved of an integrated mobility roadmap, the move underscores how policies are made in silos, without coordination among agencies that are supposed to work together.

Expert Speak

Transport experts say Mumbai's mobility ecosystem cannot afford such disconnects. AV Shenoy of the Mumbai Vikas Samiti and Mumbai Mobility Forum said, "With the global shift toward electric mobility accelerating, BEST's ambition to go green is commendable. But the question remains: at what cost, and with what coordination? As Mumbai grapples with swelling commuter demand, environmental compulsions and budgetary constraints, the city needs a coherent transport policy more than ever - one ensuring agencies move in tandem, not at cross-purposes."

Bus expert Shubham Padave said, "Electric buses are cost-efficient, but until the technology is fully developed, BEST should maintain an adequate number of CNG buses. At present, electric buses take a lot of time to charge. This will improve with the implementation of flash charging technology. Electric buses are costly to procure, compared to their CNG counterparts, and recently, we have seen Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari promoting hydrogen-powered automobiles. Thus, we are not sure if the future is, indeed, electric."

Official Speak

While BEST officials did not respond to mid-day's calls and messages by press time, a senior transport department official said that it was neither mandated by the Central or state government to convert all public transport buses into electric fleet, but there were Central government-promoted, incentive-based policies to convert such buses into electric, and the BEST was merely following that, including schemes like PM-eBus Sewa, and supportive policies for charging infrastructure.

"Under the state Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2025, for major urban areas including Mumbai, 40 per cent of the fleet operated by state-run transport undertakings (STUs) is required to be electric; for non-STU (private/other) buses, the target is 15 per cent. The BEST fleet was undergoing a transition to electric, supported by state policy and gradual, phased procurement," he added.

Negatives aspects of electric buses

>> Taking a long time for battery charging in hours, whereas CNG can be charged in a few minutes. Presently, many electric buses are unable to run a full day on a single charge and have to come to the depot for recharging
>> CNG is also environmentally friendly
>> Batteries are imported from China, and this dependence may remain for a long time as that country has major lithium deposits
>> In case of a major power failure, the entire EV fleet would come to a halt. It is better to have a judicious mix of e-buses and CNG buses
>> E-buses are capital-intensive and are nearly three times costlier than CNG buses

Experts' suggestions

Adopt use of CNG for buses
BEST should transition entirely to CNG buses, making use of its underutilised infrastructure. This would enhance safety, simplify operations, and minimise risks associated with electric buses. With the capacity to fuel over 4000 buses daily, the transition to CNG buses would be both efficient and feasible

Promote CNG fuel
CNG should be promoted as the primary fuel for public transportation. Its safety, reliability, environmental benefits, and cost-efficiency make it an ideal alternative to electric buses, which have higher operational complexities and costs

Industry acceptance
CNG has been successfully adopted as a primary fuel by other transport undertakings. The MSRTC has converted 1000 High Speed Diesel buses to CNG, demonstrating the fuel's practicality and cost-effectiveness. Bus transport agencies in Thane and Pune have also adopted CNG buses, proving their suitability for urban transport

CNG depots in Mumbai
>> Ghatkopar
>> Goregaon-Oshiwara
>> Anik
>> Deonar
>> Dharavi
>> Dindoshi
>> Gorai
>> Magathane
>> Majas
>> Mulund
>> Mumbai Central
>> Pratiksha Nagar
>> Santacruz
>> Wadala
>> Poisar

Possible solutions

Experts say safety must take precedence over cost-cutting measures. Reforming the wet-lease model and fully adopting CNG buses would provide a safer and more reliable public transport system, using existing infrastructure and reducing operational risks. BEST seems to be increasingly inclined towards purchasing electric vehicles, even though the cost of these "electric buses" is 1.4 times that of CNG buses.

Furthermore, major CNG bus manufacturers have the capacity to supply 1500 to 2000 CNG buses within a lead time of just six months. In contrast, the supply of electric buses from providers remains uncertain and significantly delayed. Rebuilding public trust and ensuring safety should be the central focus for the future of Mumbai's public transportation.