Overview
- The Mumbai unit of the Congress launched the 9-point “Mission BEST Bachao” manifesto ahead of the January 15 BMC elections.
- The party says it will stop new wet-lease and private contracts immediately and return operations, maintenance and staffing fully to BEST within three years.
- It seeks a CAG-approved independent audit of falling revenues and private-operator performance, alongside public reporting of ridership, costs and depot- or operator-wise results.
- Promises include honoring the 2019 pact to induct 3,337 buses, recruiting permanent drivers and conductors, expanding the fleet to over 6,000 by 2028, and restoring long-distance and cross-city routes.
- The manifesto pledges safety audits, a public incident portal, worker protections and safeguarding depot land for transport use, while leaders allege illegal private operations have cost BEST about ₹2,000 crore.