Strengthening BEST: A Comprehensive Plan is Needed – Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai : ‘BEST’ plays a significant role in Mumbai’s development. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has suggested that the ‘BEST’ administration needs to be strengthened to make the public transport system more efficient, and a comprehensive plan should be prepared for this. He assured that the government will provide full cooperation.

A program called ‘Thank you Devendraji’ was organized at Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan by the Shramik Utkarsh Sabha to acknowledge Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis’ efforts in addressing the employees’ issues, such as gratuity, COVID allowance, and appointment letters for permanent and seasonal workers. Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis, along with MLA Adv. Ashish Shelar, Praveen Darekar, President of Shramik Utkarsh Sabha Prasad Lad, and General Manager of ‘BEST’ Anil Diggikar, were present.

During the event, Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis handed over a check of ₹332 crores for gratuity and ₹78 crores for COVID allowance to the ‘BEST’ administration. He also distributed appointment letters to permanent and seasonal workers, and felicitated workers for their brave work and promoted employees.

Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis highlighted the evolution of public transport in Mumbai, from tram services in 1873 to today’s ‘BEST’ buses. Despite the growing metro network, the importance of ‘BEST’ services remains strong and will be further enhanced. He instructed the administration to prepare plans for the redevelopment of old residential complexes for ‘BEST’ workers and the redevelopment of bus depots to strengthen ‘BEST’.

President of Shramik Utkarsh Sabha MLA Lad, in his introduction, thanked the government for meeting the various demands of ‘BEST’ workers. MLAs Shelar and Darekar also expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for their support. General Manager Diggikar extended his thanks as well.