Mumbai plans to turn BEST depot land into modern transport and mobility hubs

Mumbairsquos BEST bus depots could take on a new role beyond parking and maintaining buses with plans to redevelop 22 depots into multiuse transport hubs combining public transport electric mobility passenger facilities and commercial spacesThe redevelopment is part of BESTrsquos Rs 28000crore transformation plan which proposes using the publicprivate partnership PPP model to unlock the potential of its depot land while generating revenue to strengthen the undertakingrsquos finances and expand its bus fleetFrom bus depots to transport hubsUnder the plan the depots could feature modern workshops public parking commercial and mixeduse spaces employee housing digital facilities and infrastructure for electric busesThe approach is similar to transport hubs developed in cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong where bus interchanges are integrated with other modes of transport as well as shops offices and public amenitiesSingapore has developed integrated transport hubs for more than two decades with newer facilities offering airconditioned waiting areas realtime travel information family washrooms babycare rooms bicycle parking and facilities for senior citizens and persons with disabilitiesHong Kong has adopted a single site multiple use approach combining public transport facilities with commercial spaces and passenger amenities Its electric vehicle roadmap also provides for charging infrastructure at new public transport interchanges and bus terminalsAhmedabad offers a precedentMumbairsquos proposed model would not be the first such experiment in India Ahmedabadrsquos Geeta Mandir bus terminal was redeveloped through the PPP model combining improved passenger facilities with commercial spaceDharavi to get two modern BEST depotsThe proposed redevelopment of BEST infrastructure in Dharavi could provide an early example of how the concept may take shape in MumbaiThe existing BEST depot occupies around 1158 acres Under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project DRP it is proposed to be replaced by two modern multistorey bus depots with infrastructure for electric buses and EV chargingThe proposal comes as the Maharashtra government pushes for greater adoption of electric buses and cleaner public transport in MumbaiChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has previously said the Dharavi redevelopment would draw from models followed in Singapore and Hong Kong with modern infrastructure planned alongside homes workplaces and public facilitiesConnectivity key to Dharavi redevelopmentAn ANDPL official said the proposed depots would serve a purpose beyond supporting electric busesldquoThe importance of the two depots goes beyond electrification Dharavi is being planned as a dense mixeduse neighbourhood where homes workplaces commercial areas schools healthcare and other public facilities will be located closer together Good connectivity and efficient public transport will need to keep pace with that changerdquo the ANDPL official statedDharavi is located between major suburban railway corridors and close to the BandraKurla Complex BKC The Metro network in and around the area is also expanding while a proposed MultiModal Transport Hub MMTH is expected to bring different modes of transport togetherldquoLike Singapore and Hong Kong Dharavi is being redeveloped in a manner where homes and workplaces are built around good public transport rather than transport being added laterrdquo the official added