Mumbai: Strike by contractual BEST drivers, conductors disrupts bus services

Magathane bus depot in western suburbs

A flash strike by contractual Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) drivers and conductors led to disruption of bus services for some time at Magathane bus depot in western suburbs on Monday. The strike was called by after intervention and negotiations by the BEST Workers Union. This is the second time in recent months that such a strike has taken place.

"The workers were angry over the high-handed attitude of BEST officials and refused to take to the buses. Shashank Sharad Rao and I visited the depot in the morning to intervene and conducted negotiations with the local administration," BEST Kamgar Sanghatna general secretary, Jagnayaran Kahar, said.

"The local administration has assured us that they would henceforth resolve any pending issues immediately," Kahar added.

Earlier this month, a similar strike had been organised at the Mumbai Central bus depot against alleged exploitation by the contractor. Sources said there are about 1,800 contractual midi buses now plying on the streets of Mumbai as a part of the BEST fleet.

BEST chairman expresses shock

BEST chairman Ashish Chemburkar, on Sunday, visited bus depots at Wadala, Pratiksha Nagar, Anik, and Bandra and found staff rooms in a deteriorating condition and issued directives to fix them immediately.

"I visited the bus depots and found the staff rooms in an utter mess to the extent that they were harmful to the health of the working staff. It is appreciable that despite such pathetic conditions, the staff was working without any complaint. I have asked the administration to fix 1,000 fans and install 200 coolers for the efficient functioning of the staff," he said.