Getting rid of pests- rats, cockroaches, bugs or even mosquitoes - is a tough task for any household. However, it is also proving to be a costly affair for the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking.

The administration has proposed to spend Rs 1.03 crore on sprinkling pesticide and insecticide across 99 properties, namely bus depots, residential and office buildings, in Mumbai city and its eastern and western suburbs through 2013-14.