Is BEST operating broken and unsafe buses on Mumbai’s roads? A recent internal inspection report of BEST buses has revealed a worrying pattern of unresolved safety defects by various wet-lease contractors, raising concerns over commuter safety in the city’s public transport system. BEST chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao told mid-day that she had called an urgent meeting of BEST officials on Monday to discuss and resolve the issue. The report, based on cross-checking by BEST’s own staff of previously flagged issues on leased buses, a copy of which is with mid-day, shows that multiple buses continued to operate despite serious mechanical faults. What does the report say According to the report, the buses had problems with drag link assemblies, brake liner malfunctions, steering wheel defects, and damaged gearbox components—issues that directly affect vehicle control and braking efficiency. In several cases, defects identified as early as January and February 2026 were marked as “not attended” even during follow-up inspections conducted in March. The report warns that such lapses could lead to drivers losing control of vehicles, potentially resulting in serious or fatal accidents. Particularly concerning are repeated mentions of steering-related defects and brake failures, with remarks such as “driver may lose control over steering system” and “vehicle not able to stop,” highlighting the severity of the situation. Safety issues The findings come at a time when Mumbai’s bus network remains a critical lifeline for lakhs of daily commuters. The continued operation of buses with unresolved safety defects is likely to draw scrutiny from transport authorities and passenger groups. BEST committee member Nitin Nandgaokar, who flagged the issue, told mid-day that bus drivers are often forced to drive such buses under pressure. “This is not a minor lapse, it is a systemic failure that directly endangers lives. When buses officially flagged as unsafe, especially with critical defects in brakes and steering, are still pushed back onto the roads under the guise of ‘repaired,’ it reflects a complete breakdown of accountability,” he said. “It is concerning that bus drivers are being pressured to operate such vehicles. This not only puts passengers at risk but also places an unfair and dangerous burden on frontline staff. Every unsafe bus on the road is a potential tragedy in motion. Public transport is built on trust, and that trust is being severely undermined here,” he added. Demands in the petition A representation has been submitted to the authorities with the following demands: Conduct a high-level and independent inquiry into the matterTake strict action against responsible contractors and officialsCarry out an immediate safety audit of all contract buses across depotsNo bus to be operated without written clearance from the engineering departmentImplement strict monitoring mechanisms to prevent recurrence The petition warns that the issue is extremely serious, and if the administration fails to take immediate and strict action, it will be held fully responsible for any future accidents or untoward incidents. Major past bus accidents Kurla West, December 9, 2024: A BEST electric bus (Olectra-make, just 3 months old) rammed into pedestrians and vehicles on SG Barve Marg, killing 6 and injuring 49. Investigators suspected human error and lack of proper training; brakes were found to be functioning.Bhandup West, December 29–30, 2025: A BEST midi bus ran over pedestrians outside Bhandup West railway station at around 10:05 pm, killing 4 (including 3 women) and injuring 9. Officials speak BEST officials have yet to issue a detailed response to the report, but the revelations have led to calls for stricter maintenance audits and real-time monitoring of fleet safety compliance. BEST chairperson action Trushna Vishwasrao said any negligence would not be tolerated. “On Monday, I have summoned a meeting of all concerned BEST officials based on the revelations. We will not allow unsafe buses to run on Mumbai’s roads and endanger commuter safety.” She also appealed to the government for additional funding to expand the bus fleet and wrote to the BMC chief requesting Rs 3,000 crore, in addition to the Rs 1,000 crore allocated in this year’s BMC budget. Vishwasrao said the fleet is rapidly shifting to electric, with over a thousand e-buses, including AC double-deckers, while older CNG/diesel buses are being phased out. Despite modernisation, the network remains far smaller than the nearly 3,800 buses it had 15–20 years ago.
04 April,2026 02:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Maharashtra State Contractors' Association (MSCA) has written to the BJP-led Mahayuti government, threatening to stop work on development projects from April 7 if dues amounting to more than Rs 96,000 crore are not cleared soon. In its letter on Friday, the MSCA said that the state government had cleared around Rs 20,000 crore last year following protests, but fresh bills from ongoing and completed works have pushed the total pending amount back to Rs 96,000 crore. The MSCA is a state-level body representing contractors engaged in development works across departments. "In the last over one-and-a-half years, the pending bill amount went up to Rs 1.16 lakh crore. Now it is around Rs 96,400 crore, which means the state government has only paid around Rs 20,000 crore. We had hoped that in March there would be significant payments towards the pending bills, but that did not happen," the letter stated. As per the letter, major arrears include Rs 29,000 crore under the Public Works Department, Rs 35,000 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission and Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran, Rs 6,500 crore for rural development and water conservation works, Rs 3,800 crore under the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, Rs 2,100 crore for urban development special fund works, Rs 9,000 crore under the Water Resources Department, and Rs 11,000 crore under district development plans. Pending payments for works executed by local and civic bodies have also affected small contractors, it said. Contractors would halt work if payments do not begin soon, MSCA president Milind Bhosale said. After March 31, the pending dues have gone up to Rs 96,000 crore, affecting three lakh contractors involved in state government works, Bhosale added. The state government has been facing a cash crunch due to high expenditure on welfare schemes and a shortfall in revenue collection. Pressure on state finances increased in 2024 when the then Mahayuti government announced several welfare measures ahead of the assembly elections, including a provision of Rs 36,000 crore for the Ladki Bahin scheme and Rs 14,700 crore for free power to farmers. Despite borrowings of Rs 1.38 lakh crore in the last financial year, the capital expenditure stood at Rs 98,000 crore, reflecting stress on the state's fiscal position, officials said. (With PTI inputs)
04 April,2026 12:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai is set to witness mainly clear skies across the city and suburbs on Saturday, with the maximum temperature likely to reach around 33 degrees Celsius and the minimum settling near 23 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Air quality in the city remains in the ‘satisfactory’ category, with an overall AQI of 65 recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app. AQI across Mumbai areas Bandra Kurla Complex: 105Borivali East: 42Byculla: 52Andheri East: 89Chembur: 52Colaba: 62Deonar: 121 Neighbouring regions: Thane: 70Kalyan: 55Navi Mumbai: 72 While most parts of Mumbai are experiencing satisfactory air quality, areas like Deonar and Bandra Kurla Complex have recorded relatively higher AQI levels. Maharashtra weather update: temperatures stay below normal in several regions Parts of Maharashtra continued to witness relatively moderate temperatures on April 4, with several cities recording below-normal maximum temperatures, according to the India Meteorological Department. Temperature trends across key cities Aurangabad recorded a maximum of 35.2 degrees Celsius, nearly 2.7 degrees below normal, while the minimum stood at 22.8 degrees Celsius. Jalgaon and Jeur saw sharper departures, with maximum temperatures dipping over 5 degrees below normal. Sholapur remained among the hottest at 38.3 degrees Celsius, though still slightly below seasonal averages. Parbhani also recorded a high of 38 degrees Celsius, indicating warmer conditions in parts of Marathwada. Temperatures near coast In the coastal belt, Mumbai saw stable conditions, with Colaba recording a maximum of 32.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 24 degrees Celsius, both close to normal levels. Santacruz reported similar readings. Hill station Mahabaleshwar remained cooler, with a maximum of 27.6 degrees Celsius and a minimum dipping to 17.2 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels Morning relative humidity remained high across most regions, with coastal and western parts like Kolhapur and Mumbai recording levels above 80 per cent, indicating humid conditions. Overall, while daytime temperatures across Maharashtra are largely staying below normal, pockets of Marathwada and central regions continue to experience relatively higher heat.
04 April,2026 11:25 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNathuram Sathvilkar’s first day on the job as a security guard ended in tragedy, after the 52-year-old fell into an open lift shaft in Vaibhav Laxmi Building No. 10 in Subhash Nagar, Chembur East, on April 3. The deceased, a resident of Ghatla in Chembur, was being shown around the premises by fellow security guard Dilip Kadam around 6.50 am before the mishap occurred. “As a precaution, I warned him not to walk ahead as the shaft of the lift in the parking area was open. I turned around for a moment, and when I looked back, he had already fallen inside,” said Kadam. People gathered after Kadam screamed for help. Chembur police officers reached the spot by 7 am and, with the help of fire brigade personnel, they got Sathvilkar out of the shaft and took him to Rajawadi Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. 6.50 amTime incident occurred on Friday Illustrations/Uday Mohite 1 Security guard Dilip Kadam shows Nathuram Sathvilkar around on his first day of work on Friday morning. 2 They stand near the car lift shaft used to move cars. Kadam warns Sathvilkar not to walk ahead, as the shaft is empty 3 As Kadam turns around, he sees Sathvilkar proceeding and accidentally falling down the shaft The aftermath The police have registered an accidental death report, and following the investigation, this may be converted into an FIR if negligence is suspected. PoliceSpeak PSI Ajit Shinde, Chembur police station‘Despite the building being fully constructed and residents living there, no CCTV cameras were installed around the parking area. We also found that safety barricading around the lift shaft was missing’By: Vaishnavi Shetty
04 April,2026 10:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Vaishnavi ShettyOn World Drummers’ Day, celebrated annually to honour percussionists across the globe, the journey of Dr Seetharaman Iyer stands as a powerful testament to resilience, determination, and unwavering passion. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition, he lost his vision at the age of 25. What could have ended aspirations, strengthened his resolve to continue his medical career and his love for music. Dr Seetharaman Iyer during a mridangam performance “I chose perseverance. My parents always encouraged me to pursue a career where I could serve people. They supported my decision to become a doctor while helping me continue playing my instrument,” said Dr Iyer. Dr Iyer with Deepa Pillai and her brother during a counselling session. Pic/Ritika Gondhalekar Alongside his demanding profession, he has remained committed to the mridangam, refusing to let his disability define his limits. Today, Dr Iyer treats patients at Sion Hospital and runs a clinic in Ghatkopar with his wife, Dr Sanjana Iyer. Navigating the field of mental healthcare without vision, he relies on heightened sensory awareness, structured systems, and strong support from peers. “There is a concept in medical science, neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to reorganise itself through learning and experience. Fortunately, I benefited from it and was able to study effectively,” he said. Sudhir Kumar Singh April 4World Drummers’ Day Difficult task, strong ambition Dr Seetharaman performs with wife his Dr Sanjana Iyer Dr Iyer began losing his vision shortly after completing his MBBS in 2016. He took a two-year break following his diagnosis. In 2018, he chose to pursue psychiatry, not because of his condition, but because of his natural listening ability and communication skills. “When you treat a mentally ill person, you help the entire family. What better way to serve people?” he said. His journey was far from easy. Learning to listen Adapting his study method was one of his biggest challenges. Having relied on reading throughout his education, he now had to depend entirely on listening.“Initially, I was unsure if I could. But after completing the entire syllabus through audio lectures, I became confident,” he said. Doctor who is also a musician Beyond medicine, the mridangam remains central to his identity. “For many artists, including me, the inspiration is Padma Vibhushan Umayalpuram K Sivaraman. I have been his disciple for over a decade,” he said. He added that his guru encouraged him to excel in both music and medicine.
04 April,2026 10:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarThe Congress has signalled that the upcoming by-elections in Baramati and Rahuri are unlikely to be unopposed. With the party’s high command giving a green light, the state Congress leadership thinks that there should be a contest for both seats, which have fallen vacant after the deaths of deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar and BJP MLA Shivajirao Kardile. State Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal said the party has got approval from its high command to contest the Assembly bypolls. Speaking to reporters, he said the Congress will first hold discussions with its MVA allies before taking a final call. Poll schedule The by-elections were necessitated following the deaths of Ajit Pawar, who represented Baramati, and Shivajirao Kardile, the sitting MLA from Rahuri. As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, voting for both constituencies will be held on April 23, while the counting of votes is set for May 4. BJP wants unopposed election Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had last month said that ideally, the upcoming by-elections to the Baramati and Rahuri Assembly seats should go unopposed but added that the government is fully prepared in case voting takes place. Candidates in fray Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Ajit Pawar, will file her nomination papers from Baramati, while the BJP has fielded Akshay Kardile, son of late MLA Shivajirao, for the Rahuri by-election.
04 April,2026 09:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarResidents of Mankhurd’s Cheeta Camp have raised concerns over the degrading condition of a commemorative statue of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the former president of India, on the VN Purav main road of the area, right next to the Trombay police station. According to the locals, the intersection around the statue is known as the ‘APJ Abdul Kalam Chowk’, but many are unaware that it is named because there is a memorial of the former president, which is often not visible due to illegal parking and its degrading condition makes it hard to recognise. 2022Year the statue was built Memorial of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam right next to Trombay police station Maintenance neglected . No maintenance done in the last 3 years. Illegal parking ignored. Safety risk. Spot for anti-social elements People speak to mid-day Asif Sayyed, a resident, said, “When the statue was initially built, many were proud of having it in our area, and kids would learn about [then] president Kalam, but the lack of maintenance has made it a sour sight. There are now cars parked at the spot, blocking the view for people. In the evening, it becomes a spot for drinkers and smokers, which is very disrespectful.” A teenager (name withheld) said, “Until a few weeks ago, I did not know about the statue’s existence in our area. I came across a video on social media, which talked about it, and the next day when I was passing through, I noticed its degraded condition. It is sad because we learn about the man in school. The lack of maintenance and civic responsibility has transformed the area into a gathering spot for anti-social elements.” OfficialSeak Usman Shikalgar, Sub-engineer, BMC maintenance departmentThe memorial was originally made by MHADA and was never handed over to us (BMC); hence, we cannot do the maintenance of the structure. Regarding parking and other illegal activities, we are taking regular action. Though our workers tow away vehicles parked in front of the memorial, by the evening, those who drive for ride-sharing apps also park at the spot, which is difficult to manage every day.” Failure to act despite letters Sayyed said that after noticing the condition of the statue, he wrote letters to the ward office, the local police, and the RTO but has not received any response. However, Sayyed said, in an X post that he made on March 8, the Mumbai Traffic Police and the BMC M East ward replied, saying that the complaint has been taken into account, and both authorities said that they would look into the matter.
04 April,2026 09:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturThe Metro Line 9 rail service between Dahisar East and Mira Bhayandar will be inaugurated on April 6, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Friday. Speaking to reporters, he said the inauguration of the service got delayed over certain factors. “We were waiting for the safety nod first, which we have received...Now the inauguration date is set for April 6 for the inauguration of the route,” Sarnaik said. Once this starts, people in the region will be relieved as this was a long-pending demand, he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 April,2026 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesDesign changes and upgrades to the upcoming greenfield Jogeshwari Terminus have delayed its completion by a year, but officials say the project will now be more purposeful and better equipped. Initially scheduled for completion by March 2025, the terminus is now expected to be ready in 2027. The new terminus is aimed at decongesting major terminal stations such as Bandra, Dadar and Mumbai Central. “There have been delays because of design changes and upgrades. Originally, there were three platforms; now we have widened the existing ones for better passenger convenience and added one more platform. It will be a significant terminus, along with a coaching depot for Vande Bharat trains. Work will be completed in the coming financial year,” said Divisional Railway Manager Pankaj Singh. Where is the new terminus? The terminus is located near Ram Mandir suburban railway station and is about 250 metres from the nearest Metro station, Jogeshwari East on Metro Line 7 via Ram Mandir Road (Lotus Corporate Park). It will include cab zones, auto stands, Ola/Uber pick-up and drop-off points, and a dedicated parking area. A bit of history The last full-fledged independent rail terminus in Mumbai was Kurla LTT, built 34 years ago in 1991. Since then, stations like Dadar (Western) and Panvel have been upgraded into mail/express termini, but no entirely new terminus has been constructed. What is the upgrade? The original plan featured three platforms — one island and one home platform, each 600 metres long. The revised design adds a fourth platform and widens the existing ones. Platform 4 will now serve as the home platform. The terminus will be able to handle 24-coach trains and accommodate 12 pairs of mail and express trains daily. Voices Mansoor Umer Darvesh, former member of the Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee‘This terminus will mainly benefit suburban commuters and reduce the load on Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus. It is very close to SV Road, making it easily accessible. Railways should start more long-distance trains from here for it to be successful. However, delays like these are frustrating. Every time there is a reason, costs double, and the common man suffers. The railways should complete the project on time as promised’ Rupak Dhakate, commuter‘The terminus can keep progressing, but daily users are struggling due to ongoing work near Ram Mandir station on the east side. The pathway is in poor condition. With a heavy office-going crowd using this route, the railways should at least fix the road outside the station’ Bridges . A 6-metre-wide foot overbridge (FOB) will connect to the existing FOB at Ram Mandir station, linking the terminal with the suburban station. It will include two escalators and a lift for senior citizens and divyang passengers.. A 12-metre-wide FOB will connect platforms 1 and 2 with platform 3. Station buildings . A ground-plus-two service building will house relay rooms and railway departments for smooth operations.. A ground-plus-three station building will include all key passenger amenities. Expected completion2027 Amenities . AC VIP lounge with bath, toilet, charging points and cafeteria/mini-pantry. AC waiting lounge with similar facilities. Retiring rooms (four AC double rooms and four non-AC double rooms). Separate dormitories for men and women (six beds each). Food plaza and entertainment zone. Rest area for 50 licensed sahayaks with basic facilities Circulating area The station will have a well-planned circulating area with designated pick-up and drop zones, Ola/Uber bays, taxi and auto stands, vehicle parking, VIP parking and EV charging points. Entry and exit will connect directly to the Western Express Highway. The nearest Metro station is about 500 metres away. Features The station will feature a self-supported proflex sheet dome structure, offering a modern architectural design distinct from traditional railway platform covers. Revised cost The project cost has increased from Rs 35 crore to Rs 69 crore
04 April,2026 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarAfter multiple plan changes, flight disruptions, and prolonged delays, Mumbai’s cruise professionals have barely managed to return home in time for the Easter weekend. The closure of key airports in West Asia has severely disrupted travel, making it difficult for hospitality staff to reach ships operating in the Caribbean and Europe. Work disruptions A Gorai resident with a decade of experience in the cruise industry said seafarers have not witnessed such uncertainty since the pandemic. “Many cruises have scaled down operations in Europe. Those working on Dubai routes are being sent home within months. Companies have also halted advance joinings” he said. Industry professionals added that with changing airspace dynamics, European deployment on cruises has gradually declined. Frequent flight rescheduling has led to uncertain joining and sign-off dates, forcing crew members to extend their time onboard beyond planned contracts. Personal toll “Since flights were cancelled, my reliever couldn’t reach the ship, and I had to stay an extra month. With a four-year-old daughter and my wife alone at home, it was difficult,” said Rakesh Zolar, the seafarer, who is now back in Mumbai and fishing with his brothers until his next contract. Many are still waiting for assignments, delayed due to limited flight availability. “Direct flights are too expensive, so companies avoid them. Now we are either asked to share the cost or wait till the situation stabilises,” said Julian Collins, another Gorai-based crew member who returned from Singapore in December. Rossi D’Souza, a Gorai resident, said, “My cousin was to return to Mumbai on March 29, but his reliever couldn’t reach the ship. He has now missed Easter with his family. While we worry about his safety, we hope things improve soon.”
04 April,2026 08:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarAfter Alphonso mangoes, it’s now the humble ‘nimbu’ that’s burning pockets. In a spike over three weeks, lime prices have nearly doubled across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. At the APMC wholesale market, limes are now selling at Rs 5 per piece, up from Rs 2-R3 just weeks ago. Retail markets are no better, with prices touching Rs 20 for two li, es, compared to four for Rs 20 earlier. Traders at APMC dismissed the recent unseasonal rain as the reason behind the surge, pointing instead to a clear supply-demand mismatch. Rs 10Current price of one lime Lime markets RetailCurrent price R20 for two limes3 weeks ago Rs 20 for four limes WholesaleCurrent price Rs 5 for one lime3 weeks ago Rs 2-Rs 3 per limes Reason for surge . High summer demand (March-June peak). Limited supply from Andhra Pradesh . No arrivals from Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. Added transport costs to retail markets Trend to continue? Traders say prices may stay high through April, which demand among customers is high, unless supply from other states resumes. Coolers turn up the heat From roadside stalls to small eateries, the price hike is forcing vendors to rethink pricing. Sunil Honrao, owner of Khanderaya Hotel, said, “Earlier, we used to give lime juice at Rs 15 per glass, but now we have increased it to Rs 20 due to rising lime prices.” Ajay Yadav, a juice seller from Nerul, added, “People rush for lime drinks during the summer, but now due to the price increase, we have doubled our rates from Rs 10 to Rs 20 per glass.” Youngsters beat the summer heat with nimbu pani. Pic/Abhitash Singh Homes feel pinch The price shock is now hitting kitchens across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Swapna Nelly, a resident of Vashi, said, “We used to use limes daily in dal and salads. Now we are using them only when needed.” Sunita Mishra, a resident of Nerul, added, “Earlier I would buy in bulk, now I just buy two to three limes. It feels expensive for such a basic item.”
04 April,2026 08:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash SinghADVERTISEMENT
