The state government has suggested that the BMC must annually allocate 3 per cent of its total budget to give financial push to the BEST, which is plagued by a financial crisis
CM Devendra Fadnavis (above) on Friday chaired the meeting to review transport-related issues. File Pic
The revival of Mumbai's iconic BEST Service and Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) to streamline the transport services and other related issues in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) on the Maharashtra government's agenda, the officials said on Friday.
On Friday, the state government suggested that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) annually allocate 3 per cent of its total budget to give a financial push to the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), which is plagued by a financial crisis.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Friday chaired the meeting to review transport-related issues.
It was in this meeting held in Mumbai that the CM suggested that the BMC chief – Bhushan Gagrani – allocate 3 per cent of the total civic budget for improving and reviving BEST.
“The financial support from the BMC would help BEST sustain its operations. The BEST administration should aim to increase its services and efficiency,” CM Fadnavis said, describing BEST as the lifeline of Mumbai.
The meeting to modernise BEST administration and services was attended by BJP leaders (both ministers in the BJP-led Maharashtra Government) Ashish Shelar and Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
Meanwhile, in order to ensure that BEST creates its own revenue generation model, the state government has asked the administration to strategically monetise its depots through commercial redevelopment of the land.
Participating in the discussion, Shelar suggested setting up Marathi cinema theatres at a few of the city depots. “This will serve a dual purpose – support regional movies and create an income source for BEST too,” Shelar claimed. The depots that are likely to witness a makeover are Bandra, Dindoshi and Deonar.
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