1 week ago
BMC Approves ₹28,000-Crore Redevelopment Of 22 Mumbai BEST Depots
Mumbai’s BEST bus system wants to rebuild 22 old bus depots.
The project would cost about ₹28,000 crore.
Private companies would help design, build and operate the redeveloped sites.
The depots would still work as bus terminals.
The plan could also add shops, homes, schools, hospitals, parking and other facilities.
BEST says it needs money because it has large debts and wants to buy 5,000 buses.
Some opposition politicians worry that private developers could gain control of valuable public land.
They also want more information about earlier depot leases.
The plan must receive more government approvals before it can move forward.
The BMC General Body approved redevelopment of 22 BEST depots under a PPP model.
The ₹28,000-crore DBFOT plan would create integrated hubs while retaining bus-terminal operations.
BEST would retain depot-land ownership, with revenue intended to support bus operations and reduce BMC grants.
Opposition parties questioned private involvement, transparency and the transfer of 2.5 lakh square metres of land.
The proposal still requires scrutiny and policy approval from the Urban Development Department and Cabinet.
- Who
- The BMC General Body, BEST, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and opposition parties including Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).
- What
- Approval was given for a ₹28,000-crore redevelopment of 22 BEST bus depots through a public-private partnership.
- Where
- Across Mumbai, involving 22 of BEST’s 27 bus depots.
- When
- The proposal was approved around 12:37 a.m. after more than two hours of debate on August 19, 2026.
- Why
- BEST says redevelopment would generate revenue to address its deficit and liabilities, meet employee commitments and support the purchase and operation of 5,000 new buses.
Opposition Concerns
Supporters’ Case
Private redevelopment
Opposition Concerns
Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators argued that BEST should receive financial support from the BMC and redevelop the depots itself rather than hand them to private developers.
Supporters’ Case
BEST officials and the BJP-led Mahayuti said the PPP model is needed to generate revenue, revive BEST and improve its financial viability.
Land use and transparency
Opposition Concerns
Opposition members questioned the transfer of 2.5 lakh square metres of prime depot land and sought a white paper on land parcels previously handed over and their financial returns.
Supporters’ Case
The proposal says BEST will retain ownership of the depot land while using redevelopment revenue to support operations and reduce dependence on BMC grants.
Financial necessity
Opposition Concerns
Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi questioned another transfer of depots while ₹302 crore remained pending from five depots leased in 2017.
Supporters’ Case
Trushna Vishwasrao cited BEST’s ₹7,322-crore accumulated deficit, ₹14,323 crore in liabilities, pending employee dues and the ₹6,500-crore requirement for 5,000 new buses as reasons for pursuing the plan.
Key facts
- Project cost
- ₹28,000 crore
- Depots involved
- 22 of BEST’s 27 depots
- Total depot land
- 7.70 lakh square metres
- Existing and proposed FSI
- Increase from 1.3 to 7
- BEST accumulated deficit
- ₹7,322 crore
- BEST liabilities
- ₹14,323 crore
- Planned new buses
- 5,000 self-owned buses
- Approval status
- Approved by the BMC General Body; pending Urban Development Department and Cabinet scrutiny and policy approval
