BEST Employees Call Off Mumbai Bus Strike After Meeting With Deputy CM Eknath Shinde

The indefinite strike by Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) employees was called off on Sunday night, June 21, 2026, following a negotiation meeting at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai. The resolution came after discussions chaired by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with representatives of the BEST Sanyukt Kamgar Kruti Samiti, the union leading the agitation, and other stakeholders.

The strike had severely disrupted public bus services across Mumbai for three days. Commuters faced significant challenges as buses remained off the roads during the protest.

The announcement to end the strike was made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sachin Ahir, who also serves as the coordinator of a joint action committee of BEST employees' unions. The decision followed an agreement by Deputy Chief Minister Shinde to provide an interim pay hike for the transit workers.

Under the newly agreed terms, permanent BEST employees will receive an interim pay hike of ₹3,000 per month. Wet-lease employees will receive an interim pay hike of ₹2,000 per month.

Ahir stated that some of the other major demands raised by the employees' unions had also been accepted during the meeting. He added that BEST buses would soon return to the city's roads, restoring normal transit services for the public.