Juhu Koliwada Residents Protest Proposed Relocation Of Local BEST Bus Stop
Residents of Juhu Koliwada in Mumbai have launched a mass campaign to oppose the proposed relocation of a long-standing local bus stop. The protest began after a BEST notice was posted at the stop on Tuesday, triggering a 15-day window for public objections. Locals have alleged that the move is influenced by the construction of a new premium residential development, Vaswani Seascape, located adjacent to the bus stop.
The notice, pasted at the bus stop by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, directed commuters to submit any objections to the Santacruz depot manager within 15 days. However, the notice failed to provide any explanation for why the bus stop is being shifted, or where it will be relocated.
The lack of information has caused significant concern among the hundreds of daily commuters who rely on the stop. The affected passengers include residents from Juhu Koliwada, Mangalwadi, and Bhaiyawadi.
Anish Gawde, president of the Juhu Tara Koli Jamaat, which represents around 2,500 residents of the Koli community, spoke out against the sudden decision. Gawde noted that the bus stop has served three generations of his family, including his father and his daughter. He stated that the community cannot accept a sudden notice to shift the stop without any explanation, and announced plans for a mass campaign, both online and offline, to file formal objections.
The timing of the relocation has sparked intense speculation among locals. The bus stop sits next to the under-construction Vaswani Seascape residential project. The local community page Juhu Buzz questioned the move on social media, pointing out that BEST only proposed shifting the stop now that a new building is being constructed behind it.
Local resident Nicky D’Souza expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, calling the announcement a cryptic, one-line notice that creates confusion because it does not indicate where the stop will go.
Civic activist Zoru Bhathena also questioned the decision, stating that since BEST exists to serve commuters, any relocation must be backed by a clear public rationale and must not inconvenience passengers.
Repeated attempts to reach BEST PRO Sucheta Utale for comment on the reasons for the relocation and the proposed new location went unanswered.
