Why has BEST left us out: Central Mumbai residents

Protesters carry out a signature collection drive

Citizens from Parel, Currey Road, Delisle Road and Arthur Road in central Mumbai on Sunday launched a mega protest against BEST for lack of buses after reorientation and rationalisation of routes.

Citizens gathered, with BEST committee member Sunil Ganacharya supporting them, saying residents of central Mumbai, with pockets of poor old mill land, do not have as many buses any more. Earlier, there were a number of buses that used to connect them to local hospitals and stations.

"Residents of central Mumbai along the Delisle Road, Arthur Road, Currey Road stretch have been deprived of BEST buses since the rationalisation of routes was done," local activist Professor Aarti Pugaonkar said.

"The entire central Mumbai area is full of middle-class residents and former mill workers who used the BEST bus services extensively for local commute. In addition, senior citizens and women used to take them in large numbers to BYL Nair Hospital on one side and KEM Hospital on the other side of the tracks. With these buses gone, locals now have to depend on shared taxis and other means that are expensive," said Pugaonkar, who heads the BEST Commuters Complaints Forum. The protesters also held a signature drive, which was attended by BEST committee member and BJP leader Sunil Ganacharya, who assured them that he would take up the issue with the BEST management.

"Earlier there was route 74 (Mahim to Colaba), 76 (Pratiksha Nagar, Sion to Mantralaya), 7 (Wadala depot to JM Mehta Road, Malabar Hill) which used to pass Mahalaxmi station and Haji Ali. All of these buses have either been shut or reorganised, leaving us in the lurch. At present, there is just one bus route number 66 (Ballard Pier to Sion) operational on the entire stretch, which leads to frequency issues," the petition signed by citizens read.

BEST committee member Sunil Ganacharya said, "BEST has reoriented and shut many routes in the name of COVID-19. Many other routes have been shut due to the closure of Lower Parel Delisle Road bridge reconstruction work. All this has left citizens in central Mumbai helpless."

BEST General Manager Lokesh Chandra told mid-day that he had noted down the issue and will examine what could be done to help citizens on the affected routes.

The BEST undertaking also issued a note stating that bus routes have been rationalised as per crowding patterns since September 1 and citizens having complaints, suggestions and feedback should direct them to toll free number 1800227550 or on transport@bestundertaking.com.