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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
BMC plan to auction prime plots stalled as two govt bodies want to procure them
Mumbai: Eight months after BMC floated tenders to auction three prime land parcels in Mumbai—at Malabar Hill, Worli, and near Crawford market in Fort—the fate of the proposed sale remains uncertain. The move had marked the first time the civic body opted to auction its own plots, indicating a shift in its strategy to monetise real estate assets and generate long-term revenue. However, the auction process faced multiple hurdles. The plan to auction the Malabar Hill plot was scrapped early on following objections from BEST as the land has high-tension transmission lines running through it. Additionally, over 60 residents from the area raised objections, pointing out that the property card of the plot classifies it as a BMC-owned space designated for a public garden. The civic body then proceeded with plans to auction the remaining two plots. These vacant land parcels are to be leased for 30 years, with a provision for renewal for another 30 years, and are expected to bring in substantial revenue for BMC. However, an official said, Central Railway requested a portion of the plot near Crawford market—for free—to construct a passenger outlet from CSMT via a proposed skywalk. "Since the entire plot was listed for auction, carving out a part of it may not be viable," said a civic official. A high-level meeting on the matter was recently held with the chief secretary, the official added. As for the Worli plot, RBI approached BMC independently, although it did not participate in the bidding process. TOI reached out to RBI for comments but got no response. BMC officials confirmed that while bids were received for the Worli land, the responses are still under review. In Oct last year, when the tender was issued a few days before the model code of conduct for the assembly elections kicked in, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Aaditya Thackeray opposed the auctions, claiming that BMC is gradually losing control of vital land resources, which could otherwise be used for public infrastructure or amenities.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
After Mumbra accident, state begins work on unified bus network for MMR
MUMBAI: Twelve days after the accident on a crowded local train near Mumbra that killed five passengers and left nine injured, the state government has initiated steps to address one of the root causes: the lack of reliable public transport alternatives. In a bid to reduce pressure on the suburban rail system, a long-pending plan to integrate bus operations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is finally underway. 'At a time when the government is focused on building metro rail lines, there must also be a push to improve bus services,' said AV Shenoy, member of the Mumbai Mobility Forum. 'Integrated and frequent bus services can help ease pressure on suburban trains and serve as effective feeders to metro and railway stations.' (Hindustan Times) For the first time, authorities are mapping and consolidating routes run by various municipal transport undertakings—BEST, Thane Municipal Transport (TMT), Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT), Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Transport (KDMT), and others—across Greater Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Ambernath, Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar and Ulhasnagar. A special committee comprising senior officials from these municipal corporations and transport agencies has been formed and held its second meeting on Friday. The committee is tasked with drawing up a unified operational blueprint to streamline services, reduce duplication, improve frequency, and address long passenger wait times—especially on inter-city routes where different undertakings currently operate in silos. Mapping, integration and route optimisation 'We are looking at three crucial aspects,' said SVR Srinivas, general manager of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking, which is playing a lead role in the initiative. 'The first is identifying all the bus routes in the MMR that connect Mumbai with neighbouring cities like Navi Mumbai and Thane. This will help prevent duplication and allow us to plan bus schedules in a coordinated manner.' For instance, the BEST-operated AC-700 from Borivali to Thane via Mira Road overlaps with Route 65-AC operated by TMT. Under the unified framework, schedules will be synchronised to minimise wait times and optimise frequency across these overlapping corridors. At present, passengers using intercity buses often wait 45–60 minutes between services, and multiple buses from different undertakings may ply the same route within minutes of each other—highlighting the inefficiencies of the current system. The committee is collecting data on fleet strength, route networks, frequency (headway), and timetables. An integrated route map and master timetable are in the works. One network, shared assets Apart from synchronising bus schedules, the committee is also exploring shared use of infrastructure—such as depots, bus stations (especially near railway terminals), electric charging stations, and CNG refuelling points. There is also a plan to share best practices in maintenance and repair using new technologies. Once a detailed analysis is complete, the committee will recommend fare rationalisation across services to ensure affordability and consistency for passengers travelling across municipal limits. 'In the current scenario, each undertaking plans independently. Our goal is to unify operations so that passengers benefit from a truly regional transport system,' said another senior official involved in the initiative. A necessary shift beyond metro ambitions Transport experts have long argued that while Mumbai's metro expansion grabs headlines, surface transport like buses plays an equally crucial role, especially in last-mile connectivity. 'At a time when the government is focused on building metro rail lines, there must also be a push to improve bus services,' said AV Shenoy, member of the Mumbai Mobility Forum. 'Integrated and frequent bus services can help ease pressure on suburban trains and serve as effective feeders to metro and railway stations.'
India.com
3 days ago
- India.com
Mumbai's Busiest Bus Stops That Show The Real Heartbeat Of The City
The money hub of India called Mumbai operates continuously throughout every hour of day and night. The 20 million population of Mumbai lives among its noisy yet colorful streets while using the complex bus-based transit system every day. Mumbaikars choose buses as their preferred and accessible form of transportation among different options. The transportation hubs at this large city serve as fundamental junctions between residential districts and suburban areas together with business zones. The busy transit points combine access to transportation with captivating displays of those who live and work in the area. 1. Dadar Bus Station: A Microcosm of Mumbai's Diversity One of Mumbai's most active bus stations stands in proximity to Dadar railway station near the neighborhood of Dadar. The station links South Mumbai together with the central suburbs through connections with the northern metropolitan area. Each day approximately thousands of commuters stream through Dadar becoming a place that mixes numerous cultural backgrounds and linguistic influences and daily life styles. The transport facility accurately showcases the wide range of people who inhabit Mumbai. The diverse crowd at the location includes people of various ages with different jobs and purposes such as professional workers with office attire and ground vendors and students hurrying to school and families traveling together. This mixture demonstrates Mumbai's diverse demographic profile. Multiple street vendor stalls offering the popular Mumbai street snack vada pav and serving hot cups of chai are present in this area to provide necessary sustenance to people moving between destinations. The nearby flower markets represent how cultural traditions are a main part of everyday life in this city. 2. Borivali Bus Depot: Connecting Suburban Life One of the biggest bus depots in Mumbai maintains its operations in Borivali which operates under the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST). This depot functions as the connecting point that leads traffic into Andheri and Malad and Kandivali as well as additional areas. The transport system primarily operates for suburban communities who mostly utilize buses as their preferable method since they remain more cost-effective than cars or taxis. Tourists visiting Borivali Bus Depot encounter firsthand the daily hardships which characterize living in a suburban environment. Industrial workers along with corporate employees who work in South Mumbai form long queues at the bus stops before daylight in the morning. Women who carry out home tasks between commuting with their children demonstrate the multiple roles faced by numerous people. Passengers bond through friendly conversations that create a festive atmosphere in addition to occasional waves of laughter across the vehicle. 3. Kurla Bus Depot (Eastern Suburbs) The major bus stop rests next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus which used to bear the name Victoria Terminus. The site connects traditional South Mumbai character to the business speed of the city's center district. CST bus stop serves both tourists who want to see Gateway of India and Marine Drive and workers from the Fort and Nariman Point professional districts. This location shows the meeting of antique vortexes through colonial architectural styles that contrast with present-day business engagement displayed through well-dressed professionals holding briefcases. The merriment of local hawkers who sell maps with souvenirs while distributing snacks makes the surroundings of CST especially lively, representing Mumbai's entrepreneurial character. 4. Thane Bus Station: A Hub for Long-Distance Travel Another important transportation hub operates at Thane which serves passengers who need to travel through the northeastern section of Mumbai under the management of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). The BEST bus system operates within city boundaries yet the MSRTC provides transportation links from Thane to districts like Pune and Nashik as well as destinations across the state in Goa. Visitors who stop at this station can observe the experiences of people who move between locations and operate between different cities. Several people stop in Thane to travel between country villages and metropolitan areas for their jobs or schooling. The schedule of early departures and late-night arrivals symbolizes the amount of work people must do in order to find opportunities in city life. Thane railway station shows how passengers manage their travel needs through carrying suitcases as well as demonstrating their ability to adjust with nearby dhabas. 5. Bandra Bus Terminus: Glamour Amidst Chaos Bandra maintains its status as 'Queen of Suburbs' because its glamorous association with Bollywood stars has become famous throughout the city. The Bandra Bus Terminus unfolds different narratives which portray middle-class and lower-middle-class people living their actual lives. Bandra Bus Terminus enables transportation between Bandra and Andheri together with Goregaon and Worli. The station transforms into a massive living crowd that represents Bandra's attraction for ambitious young workers and business enthusiasts who seek the suburb's multicultural charm. People in Mumbai show their natural compassion for each other when strangers assist riders to board crowded public transportation. A Microcosm of Mumbai's Diversity The bus stations of Mumbai function as windows to understand the essence and character of the city The most crowded bus stations in Mumbai serve as vital junctions that disclose essential qualities of the urban community. Each station throughout Mumbai offers a distinct historical perspective of the city. People sustain their use of buses regardless of overcrowded conditions and insufficient infrastructure which showcases their extraordinary steely determination and brand of patience. Affluent Bandra showcases clear differences from densely populated Borivali which demonstrates Mumbai's economic inequalities throughout its neighborhoods. The diverse linguistic groups and religious communities along with professional backgrounds that use public transport embody Mumbai as a grand representation of its cultural diversity. The informal economy receives support from street vendors and hawkers and small businesses operating around these stations to maintain millions of people. The bus stations of Mumbai represent miniature versions of the metropolitan area because they embrace its multifold elements of active presence with varied demographics and essential interdependencies. These hubs illustrate how people endure each day through competing priorities between their professional aspirations and basic needs as well as through the management of cultural history and contemporary standards and personal independence against collective social interactions. People who want to understand the heart of Mumbai should dedicate time at these active transportation hubs to learn about the combination of city living with human adaptability.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Bus gets stuck in road cave-in near Girgaon Metro site, none injured
A Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) electric bus got stuck in a road cave-in close to the Girgaon Metro construction site Monday morning, leaving passengers in panic. While no one was injured, there were around 40 passengers in the bus. The accident occurred about 9.30 am near the intersection of Dr Babasaheb Jaykar Marg and Jagannath Shankar Sheth (JSS) Road opposite the Thakurdwar signal, where construction is underway for Metro Line 3 underground Girgaon station. As per BEST officials, the rear left wheel of the bus, which was plying on route number 121 from Backbay Depot to J Mehta Marg, got stuck in a cave-in on the road. The electric bus runs under the banner of Tata Group company in BEST fleet. All the passengers were rescued safely, officials confirmed. 'No passenger was hurt in the accident,' said a BEST official. 'The bus was recovered with the help of a towing van and taken back to the depot.' Several local residents and eyewitnesses alleged that the pit was almost five-feet deep. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), which is developing the underground corridor, stated the cave-in is believed to have been due to water ingress in the basement pit of an adjacent under-construction building. 'Water ingress was observed in the basement pit of the proposed Girgaon rehabilitation building, likely due to a nearby utility leakage. This seems to have caused ground-loss, forming a cavity that was not visible on the surface,' the MMRCL said in a statement. The agency added that it is also coordinating with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials to detect and seal any leakage in water mains, sewer lines or the storm water drainage system. 'Necessary measures are being taken to reinstate the affected road section at the earliest and to prevent any recurrence,' MMRCL added.
The Print
7 days ago
- General
- The Print
Bus gets stuck in pit near Metro construction site in Mumbai; none hurt
As per initial information, the incident occurred on Dr Babasaheb Jaykar Marg at Thakurdwar near the Girgaon Metro station site, where work on Mumbai Metro Line 3 is underway. No casualty was reported, they said, adding all the passengers were safely evacuated from the bus belonging to the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking. Mumbai, Jun 16 (PTI) A BEST electric midi bus got stuck in a pit near a Metro construction site at Girgaon in south Mumbai on Monday morning, officials said. The rear portion of the bus got stuck in the pit due to a road which had partially caved-in, a civic official said. Some locals alleged a nearly five-foot-deep pit was created due to the ongoing Metro work. A spokesperson of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) said they were looking into the incident. BEST spokesperson Sudas Sawant said he was trying to connect with the officials concerned for details of the incident. PTI KK GK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
