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Fadnavis Orders 22-Year DBFOT Redevelopment Plan for Mumbai’s BEST

The plan seeks to modernize depots with EV buses, public amenities, employee housing, requiring BEST and civic agencies to submit a time‑bound implementation proposal.

Overview

  • Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the preparation of a comprehensive redevelopment roadmap for the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking during a high‑level meeting on Friday, June 5.
  • BEST General Manager Dr. Sonia Sethi presented a DBFOT blueprint to redevelop 22 depots across roughly 132 acres using PPPs and long‑term leases while keeping land ownership with BEST.
  • The proposal sets ambitious targets including adding about 7,000 buses, installing smart EV charging infrastructure, and building employee housing along with retail, cultural and public spaces.
  • Fadnavis insisted no BEST land will be sold and ordered transparency, coordination among state and civic bodies, and a detailed 22‑year projection of fleet, staffing, revenue and costs.
  • If approved and procured, the phased redevelopment could ease inner‑city congestion by creating large parking hubs at former octroi checkpoints and transform depots into multi‑use transport and community centres.