BEST to buy 5000 self-owned buses and clear retirement dues in Mumbai

On Thursday, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking announced a major roadmap to induct 5,000 self-owned buses over the next three years and clear ₹1,751 crore in pending retirement dues in Mumbai. The plan, presented by BEST General Manager Sonia Sethi to the civic Standing Committee, aims to reduce the transport body's dependence on the wet-lease model and strengthen its operational control over the city's bus fleet.

The presentation on the undertaking's financial position and future roadmap came shortly after the civic panel cleared a ₹1,000-crore aid package for BEST last week. During the meeting, Sethi informed the committee that Mumbai requires approximately 10,000 buses to meet central government norms.

Sethi also shared details of the undertaking's financial health, revealing that BEST’s cumulative liabilities were projected to reach ₹23,296 crore as of March 31, 2026. While the electricity division remained profitable, recording a surplus of ₹115 crore in the 2025-26 financial year, the transport division continued to face heavy losses, recording a deficit of ₹1,805 crore.

To address outstanding staff welfare issues, BEST aims to clear ₹1,751 crore in pending retirement and gratuity dues for former employees within the current financial year. This move follows specific directions issued during a recent review meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

In addition to fleet expansion and clearing dues, the undertaking plans to boost its non-fare revenue through advertisements, the commercial utilisation of bus infrastructure, the setup of EV charging stations, and other monetisation measures. Furthermore, BEST's electricity division plans to install 5,50,000 smart meters across its network to improve billing efficiency, reduce distribution losses, and curb power theft.