Mumbai’s public transport system faces a severe disruption threat as the BEST bus services may come to a complete halt as early as Friday, June 19, following a strike ultimatum issued by the BEST Joint Workers Action Committee to the management of the undertaking.
The union, which represents employees across both the transport and electricity divisions of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking, issued a stern warning on Tuesday that workers, including bus operators, will cease work if a comprehensive resolution to long-pending demands is not reached before the deadline.
The union has highlighted multiple unresolved grievances affecting both permanent and contractual employees. These include delayed salary disbursements, unpaid arrears, and deteriorating service conditions along with weakened welfare measures, which the union alleges have been neglected for an extended period.
In response to the financial situation of the undertaking, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has recently sanctioned an allocation of 500 crore rupees to BEST. On this development, Uday Ambonkar, General Secretary of the BEST Employees’ Front, maintained a cautious stance while acknowledging the funding.
Ambonkar stated that while the financial support is welcome, it remains insufficient. He warned that the allocated amount falls significantly short of clearing the accumulated backlog of dues and would only delay the underlying crisis instead of resolving it permanently.
The union has further demanded a structured, time-bound mechanism for the complete clearance of pending dues to ensure that delays in salary payments and arrears do not become a recurring administrative failure.
As the deadline approaches, the looming strike has raised serious concerns over the continuity of Mumbai’s essential bus transport network, placing pressure on authorities to urgently intervene and prevent widespread disruption.
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