BEST gets a pat on the back, parting gift from World Bank
Rajendra Aklekar

THERE IS some good news for BEST commuters: The Brihanmumbai Electricity
Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is adding 138 buses to its fleet.
Happy with undertaking's sterling implementation of the Mumbai Urban
Transport Project, the World Bank has agreed to consider its proposal to
finance additional buses out of the unutilised loan and extend another loan
for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme.

The official nod is awaited.

The BEST was able to complete its project of buying 644 buses and draft a
final "consultancy report" on technical assistance for a Management
Information System (MIS) within the stipulated time-frame.
Of the total estimated cost of Rs 4,526 crore for the entire MUTP project,
BEST's component was Rs 125 crore. Of this, the WB loan was Rs 118 crores
while BEST funded the remaining Rs 7 crore.

Of this, Rs.103.55 crore was spent on procurement of 644 single-decker buses
of Euro-3 standard for replacement of older buses; Rs 1.98 crore was spent
on technical assistance and the MIS Study, according to the BEST.

This leaves the BEST with around Rs 18 crore, with which it plans to buy 138
buses. As of today, it has a fleet of 3,400 buses.

"The WB has shown positive signs, though we are yet to get official
approval," said BEST General Manager Uttam Khobragade.
rajendra.aklekar@hindustantimes.com


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