The dedicated lanes for BEST buses aimed at providing fast and efficient public transport have once again failed and shut down for good. The BEST has shut both its dedicated bus lanes — one at BKC and the other at Haji Ali-NSCI-Worli route. BEST officials confirmed that they are not operating the dedicated bus lanes due to several issues. Some BEST officials said that the growth in number of vehicles on the roads made it impossible for them to implement dedicated lanes for BEST buses. Currently, there are 32 lakh vehicles registered in Mumbai, which is leading to congestion on roads.
The Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) where the dedicated lane was operational between Kalanagar and MTNL junction, Kurla has been closed due to damaged drainage next to the road. "The drainage system is damaged and some work is underway. Also, the road is occupied by other vehicles, especially auto rickshaws," said a BEST official. The aim of starting dedicated BEST bus lanes was to ensure smooth flow of public transportation in the business hub. In fact, BEST officials had even met corporate offices at BKC and requested their staff to use BEST buses, including the AC bus that plied on the stretch.
BEST officials said that the left turns at junctions used by other vehicles posed a big hurdle to the BEST fleet. The BEST and MMRDA had proposed a special signalling system too but it never took off. "Unless the dedicated lanes are not on the right side of the road, it will be difficult to operate," said a BEST official. The dedicated bus lanes had cut down the travel time of passengers using BEST buses from 33 minute to 15 minute on the stretch.
The dedicated lane at Worli-Haji Ali met a similar fate. "We need to increase bus frequency so that the dedicated lane is not left empty for long. There is also need for road discipline, especially motorists," said Surendra Bagde, general manager, BEST.
BEST corridors
In 2017-18, the BEST proposed dedicated bus lane corridors at:
- DN Road, CSMT to Churchgate
- Madame Cama Road, Nariman Point
- Lala Lajpatrai Road, Haji Ali
- Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli
- Western Express Highway
- Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road
- Adi Shankaracharya Road, Powai
- Link Road, Oshiwara to Mith Chowky
- Eastern Express Highway
