BEST eyes land in Parel to shift museum

General Manager Uttam Khobragade hopes to attract more visitors by moving it
within city limits

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking may soon shift
its museum, which houses various artefacts and antiques documenting the
history of transport in the metropolis, to the heart of the city.
According to BEST General Manager, Uttam Khobragade, he has written a letter
to the Principal Secretary (Urban Development) Ramanand Tiwari, asking for
land in Parel region, to shift the BEST museum from its present location in
Anik depot.

"I've written to Principal Secretary (Urban Development) last week and have
asked for a piece of land in Parel to shift the museum," said Uttam
Khobragade. Earlier, Newsline had reported the poor state of the museum
which has only one caretaker and very few visitors, apart from school
students who visit the place as a part of education trips.

Khobragade feels that if the museum is shifted to Parel region, it will be
far more accessible and will have more visitors. "If the museum will be
centrally located, we can expect more visitors," said Khobragade. He also
revealed that the undertaking plans to charge entry fees to facilitate the
maintenance of the museum.

"We also plan to have a nominal entry fee at the museum. We want to maintain
it well and will also hire more staff to look after it."

Various tram models, trolley bus models, articulated bus models, old
tickets, chassis of buses which operated in early 20th century, ticket
issuing machines, various types of electric meters and different employee
badges are among the many objects on display at the museum at Anik depot.
Perhaps, the most visible evidence of the negligence on the part of the BEST
in maintaining the museum is the skeleton of the tram saddled on the tracks,
which once plied on Kolkata road, lies in a rusted condition on the premises
of Anik depot.



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