Popular among citizens and tourists alike, and often used for major city events and victory parades, the Nilambari bus was notably used during the T20 World Cup victory parade in 2007. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team were welcomed with cheers from Mumbaikars as they travelled from the airport to Wankhede Stadium aboard the bus
The iconic Nilambari open-decker bus
With BEST upgrading its double-decker fleet to air-conditioned buses, the iconic open-deck Nilambari buses — once a beloved symbol of Mumbai — have vanished for good. Despite earlier assurances to revive them, the undertaking has failed to deliver on its promise.
Popular among citizens and tourists alike, and often used for major city events and victory parades, the Nilambari bus was notably used during the T20 World Cup victory parade in 2007. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team were welcomed with cheers from Mumbaikars as they travelled from the airport to Wankhede Stadium aboard the bus.
The Nilambari was also sent 1600 km away to Hyderabad in 2016 for the victory procession of Olympic silver medalist PV Sindhu and her coach, Pullela Gopichand, at the request of local authorities. However, the buses were scrapped in 2022 after reaching the end of their operational lifespan. Although BEST had promised a revival, it never materialised. For Team India’s T20 World Cup victory parade in July 2024, with no open-deck buses left in Mumbai, the authorities had to procure one from a Gujarat-based company. The last open deck bus was scrapped in 2023.
The Nilambari was sent to Hyderabad in 2016 for the victory procession of Olympic silver medalist PV Sindhu
Currently, even the BEST is facing operational challenges due to the lack of these buses. Previously used for tree-trimming activities, open-deck buses have now been replaced by smaller MacLift cranes. Although MTDC has introduced a few open-deck buses, they are deployed only for longer tourist routes. Speaking about revival plans, an official said, “The undertaking had floated a tender for 50 such buses a few years ago, but it was cancelled due to technical reasons. Since then, there has been no further attempt to revive the fleet.”
BEST Interim General Manager SVR Srinivas said the undertaking would soon work on bringing the buses back. “BEST is definitely interested in making open-deck buses available for tourists. Right now, our priority is the Mumbai commuter — the daily passenger. We are focusing on increasing frequency, reducing headway, and improving the load factor,” he told mid-day.
Voices
Bharat Gothoskar, founder of Khaki Tours, which conducts heritage walks in Mumbai
“Without a doubt, one of the best ways to experience the iconic colonial buildings around the Fort area was aboard the Nilambari open-deck bus operated by MTDC. Sadly, both the old double-decker buses and the open-deck bus were scrapped. MTDC introduced a semi-open-deck bus for a longer route as a replacement, but what we really need is a shorter, hour-long curated tour on a fully open-deck bus, focusing on the history of these buildings — ideally starting in time for the tourist season in October.”
Rupesh Shelatkar, president of commuter rights body Aapli BEST Aaplya Sathi
“Mumbai’s iconic open-deck sightseeing buses were a favourite among both locals and tourists. The introduction of regular AC electric double-decker
buses by BEST, along with additional fare, is a significant shift. While it’s a step toward eco-friendly transport, it lacks the charm of open-air travel. BEST should consider bringing back open-deck buses to combine modern convenience with the breezy, panoramic joy of city tours.”
Shubham Padave, a bus enthusiast
“Just as double-decker buses are a symbol of pride for Mumbai, open-deck buses were a major attraction on the city’s streets. With their iconic look and vintage charm, cruising through narrow lanes and showcasing heritage structures, they transported us back in time. I genuinely feel that BEST should tag some of its old buses as ‘vintage’ and operate them on select tourist routes in Mumbai.”
Gandharva Purohit, a bus enthusiast
“Mumbai needs at least a dedicated fleet of 10 open-deck buses for sightseeing, so that e-double deckers can focus on regular routes. The front seats of the upper deck are far from the AC vents anyway, making open-deck buses an ideal choice, especially for a breezy ride down Marine Drive. The Nilambari buses, even with their R150 ticket, were a hit on weekends and holidays.
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