26 August,2026 03:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking will operate 136 additional buses across Mumbai city and its suburbs on Friday, August 28, to meet the expected rise in passenger demand on Raksha Bandhan.
According to the BEST undertaking, the additional buses will be deployed on various routes from 10.30 am and will remain in service throughout the day. The move is aimed at providing more public transport options to passengers travelling across the city and suburbs for festival-related visits.
BEST said the additional services will be introduced on routes where higher passenger volumes are expected. The undertaking will monitor the rush during the day and make further arrangements if demand exceeds expectations.
"If passenger rush increases, more buses will be deployed," the undertaking said.
The additional services are expected to help passengers travelling to residential areas, markets and other parts of Mumbai and its suburbs during the festival.
The transport undertaking has also made arrangements to assist passengers and manage the additional services.
BEST said bus inspectors, transport officers and security officers will be stationed at selected bus stops. Their deployment is intended to help regulate the movement of buses, guide passengers and manage crowding at busy locations.
The undertaking has urged people travelling across Mumbai and the suburbs on Raksha Bandhan to make use of the additional bus services.
Passengers have also been advised to plan their journeys in advance, particularly if they are travelling during periods when passenger demand is expected to be high.
Raksha Bandhan is traditionally celebrated to mark the bond between brothers and sisters. The festival is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana, which generally falls in July or August.
During the festival, sisters traditionally tie a ceremonial thread, known as a rakhi, around their brothers' wrists. The ritual is associated with affection, mutual respect and a commitment to support one another.
Brothers traditionally give gifts to their sisters as part of the celebrations, while families often travel to meet relatives and mark the occasion together.
With Raksha Bandhan falling on August 28 this year, BEST expects additional demand for public transport as people travel across the city and suburbs to visit family members and relatives.
The transport undertaking regularly increases bus services during major festivals and other occasions when passenger numbers are expected to rise. Such arrangements are aimed at reducing pressure on regular services and providing additional capacity on routes experiencing higher demand.
BEST has advised passengers to plan their journeys accordingly and use the additional buses being operated across Mumbai and its suburbs.
