Nine years on, Girgaon residents demand return of BEST bus routes

Bus stop on Jagannath Shankarseth Road, where locals say buses have not returned yet. Pics/By Special Arrangement

Nine years after Metro construction forced five BEST bus routes off Jagannath Shankarseth (JSS) Road, Girgaon residents say the roads have long been restored, but the buses never returned. Locals have now renewed their demand for the restoration of the original routes, saying commuters, particularly senior citizens, are still walking up to 1.5 km to access bus services. BEST Chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao has said the administration has been directed to restore the routes soon.

What's the problem?

Residents claim the diversion has led to:
>> Walks of 1-1.5 km to the nearest bus stop
>> Inconvenience for senior citizens
>> Longer daily commutes
>> Reduced connectivity within Girgaon and South Mumbai

Residents upset

In April 2017, five BEST routes were diverted via Maharshi Karve Road after JSS Road was dug up for the construction of Girgaon and Kalbadevi Metro stations.

Residents say:
>> Metro work is complete
>> Roads have been restored
>> Bus stops are ready for use
>> Yet buses continue to follow the temporary diversion

The five affected routes

Route Service
66 Rani Laxmibai Chowk (Sion) - Ballard Pier
69 CSM Museum - Sewri Station
86 Backbay Depot - Bandra Bus Station (West)
88 Pratiksha Nagar - Mantralaya
126 Mantralaya - Jijamata Udyan

Resident Speak

Dilip Naik, Former corporator and resident
‘Nine years now. The road is back, but not our buses. One direction of the buses is still diverted. The bus stops are now occupied by parked vehicles and water tankers that were allowed during Metro work. Now that the project is over, traffic enforcement is needed and the buses should return. I have written to the BEST General Manager and met the chairperson.'

Vilas Vasant Dali, Resident, Ekta Co-operative Society
‘The buses haven't returned, but other heavy vehicles, including water tankers, are already using the road. Residents are still walking up to one-and-a-half kilometres to catch a bus.'

BEST responds

Trushna Vishwasrao, Chairperson, BEST
‘I have directed officials to restore the bus routes to their original alignment, and it will be done soon.

[popcorn number="Nine" desc="No of years since routes were shut" class="Default"]