Hindustan Times 17.02.2010
BEST projects hit roadblocksThe Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) has failed to implement many of its recent proposals in the city.
One such proposal was that of the ‘Duck bus’ worth Rs 1 crore cleared by the BEST Committee in August 2009. A ‘Duck bus’ that runs both on water and roads was by and large meant for tourists. So far no progress has been made.
“We expect to get clearance from the Marine department within few days,” said BEST chairman Dilip Patel. BEST also planned to replace the existing films of Kinglong and air-conditioned buses with bulletproof sun protection UV films which would help to protect passengers sitting inside, in case of an accident. But this plan has also not been executed. “The tenure of the contractor to start placing the new films on buses begins in April,” said Dilip Patel.
The Bus Rapid Transit System too is struggling to garner pace. Initially Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority was supposed to take up the project of laying separate lanes for public transport BEST buses on Eastern and Western Express Highways. They have passed the project to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
But the local corporation is pondering on how to implement the project. “We have written to BMC asking them to take up the project, as a separate fund of Rs 100 crore is being allotted for transport projects like BRTS,” said a BEST official.
Another delay was the introduction of double-decker air-conditioned buses. The project is stuck as the contractor doesn’t find the project financially viable.
