Privatization of BEST Undertaking: A Detriment to MumbaiPrivatization of BEST Undertaking: A Detriment to Mumbai The policies implemented by the state and civic administration have weakened BEST Undertaking, harming the people of Mumbai. This situation demands a comprehensive analysis. Reasons for Ending Privatization The privatization of BEST has failed miserably, as evident in the case of British Rail in the mid-1990s. The contract system has exacerbated the crisis in Mumbai, with private franchises receiving more subsidies than BEST. Public ownership of BEST must be strengthened to revive its services for the greater public good. International Perspective Bus transport is highly valued worldwide, with the iconic red bus in London being a source of pride. Mumbai’s civic administration has fallen short in this regard, neglecting the importance of a robust bus system. Bus Services in Other Indian Cities Other major Indian cities, such as Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai, enjoy far better bus services. Delhi and Chennai have even implemented free bus services for women, enhancing both their mobility and economic opportunities. The Metro Illusion Mumbai’s Guardian Minister, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, has praised the Metro while downplaying the significance of BEST. However, the Metro and MMRDA face financial challenges, and its completion will take decades. In the meantime, the city faces a severe shortage of buses. Support for BEST Swadhin Kshatriya, a former BEST managing director, emphasized the unparalleled service provided by the company. The government must acknowledge this and restore BEST to its former glory. Citizens must also intervene to prevent the sale of BEST bus depots and housing estates, ensuring their use for public good. Weakening BEST The Metro lobby views BEST as competition and is attempting to reduce its bus services. This move must be checked, as buses remain a crucial and affordable mode of transport in Mumbai. The True Potential of Buses London’s vast bus network demonstrates the potential of buses. In Mumbai, buses played a vital role during the pandemic, transporting essential workers. They are also more convenient and affordable than the Metro, which should compensate BEST for the losses it has incurred due to metro construction. By addressing these issues, Mumbai can restore BEST as a vital lifeline for its citizens and ensure that the city continues to benefit from a reliable and efficient public transportation system.
Mumbai: The state and civic administration are doing a disservice to the people of Mumbai with policies that have crippled BEST Undertaking. We need to see the situation in a broader context.
Why Privatization Must End
King Charles announced in his speech to the British Parliament last week the renationalisation of British Rail, which had been privatised in the mid-1990s. This move has failed miserably in recent years. There is also a need to end the privatisation model imposed on BEST. The contract system has failed miserably. This is a reason for the current crisis, as in the UK more subsidies were given to the franchises than to BEST. Public ownership of BEST needs to be strengthened. There is still scope for reviving BEST in the greater public interest.
The civic administration is exposing itself to ridicule in the international arena, where bus transport takes pride of place. The red bus is a proud icon of London; Labour mayor Sadiq Khan is proud that his father was a bus driver. The Centre must intervene. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs stipulates that there should be 60 buses for every one lakh people.
Bus services in other cities of India
Mumbai and most other cities have far fewer buses. So we have this terrible irony: the roads are full of cars, but buses are hardly visible. Other big cities like Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai have much better bus service. Delhi and Chennai have made buses free for women, which is a huge boost to their morale and employment.
Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Mumbai’s Guardian Minister and a billionaire businessman, went all out to sing the praises of the Metro in a 2022 Loksatta article, completely sidelining BEST. The Metro and MMRDA are in dire financial straits; it will take at least two decades for the Metro to be completed. Until then? One of the few bureaucrats who understands the importance of the bus system is Swadhin Kshatriya, former managing director of BEST. When he became chief secretary to the government in 2016, he wrote on BEST Foundation Day (August 7) that the company provided unparalleled service.
On August 7, the government must make amends and announce steps to restore BEST to its former glory. But that is not certain. The big task now before citizens and others is to intervene in the proposed sale of hundreds of hectares of land from BEST bus depots and housing estates. Any redevelopment must be for public use of that space. If we do not intervene, we will lose the land, just as we lost the land of the textile mill, something that has done great harm to the city and enriched builders and politicians.
Must check the movement that weakens the BEST system
We also need to check the move to weaken the BEST system, because the Metro lobby sees it as competition. This lobby wants to reduce the number of buses and the number of commuters. We need to take the advice of Shashi Verma, the chief technology officer of Transport for London. He points out that there is a huge bus network in London, despite the more than a century-old underground rail system; in the coming days, buses will carry even more commuters than the Tube.
That is the potential of the bus system. It saved us during the pandemic by transporting essential workers when the transport system was at a standstill. In Mumbai, it is especially important because it is much more convenient, affordable and not at all disruptive, unlike the metro. The metro has contributed immensely to BEST’s losses, its work has resulted in reduced bus services. In all fairness, the metro should compensate BEST financially or other sectors should do so.
Published: Monday, July 22, 2024, 11:01 AM IST
