Mumbai witnessed major disruption in its public transport network on Friday after employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking launched an indefinite strike, leaving thousands of commuters stranded during the morning rush hour. Long queues were seen at bus stops across the city as the near-complete shutdown of bus services forced passengers to seek alternative means of transportation.
According to officials, only 32 of BEST’s 2,766 buses were operational during peak morning hours. While 38 buses initially departed from various depots, six were compelled to return after incidents of stone-pelting and obstruction allegedly linked to the strike, significantly affecting services across Mumbai.
In response to the disruptions, the Mumbai Police issued a stern warning, stating that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to damage BEST property, obstruct public transport services, or prevent willing employees from reporting for duty. Authorities stressed that maintaining essential services and public order remained a priority.
The strike, which began shortly after midnight on Thursday, has been called by the BEST Sanyukt Kamgar Kruti Samiti, a joint platform representing 12 employee unions. The agitation has continued despite an interim order from an industrial court restraining employees from striking and the Maharashtra government's invocation of the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA), which prohibits disruptions to essential public services.
With buses largely absent from city roads, commuters turned to suburban trains, Metro services, taxis, autorickshaws, and app-based cab operators. Many reported delays in reaching offices, colleges, and schools. Some residents also opted to use personal vehicles to avoid uncertainty caused by the transport shutdown.
“On most weekdays, I travel by public transport, but today I had to use my motorcycle because there were hardly any buses available,” said consultant Sachin Nalawade, reflecting the challenges faced by thousands of commuters.
BEST Chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao appealed to striking workers to resume duties, urging them not to inconvenience Mumbai’s residents. She emphasized the importance of keeping the city’s transport system running while discussions continue to address employee concerns.
The protesting employees have raised several longstanding demands, including the merger of BEST’s budget with that of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), settlement of pending dues for retired workers, implementation of Seventh Pay Commission recommendations for the 2016-2026 period, an end to contractual employment arrangements in the transport and electricity divisions, and the absorption of wet-lease bus workers into the undertaking.
BEST remains one of Mumbai’s most important public transport providers, serving nearly 25 lakh passengers every day through its bus network. The undertaking also supplies electricity to more than 10 lakh consumers in south and central Mumbai. Its fleet currently comprises over 2,766 buses, a majority of which are operated under wet-lease agreements with private contractors.
Meanwhile, some employee groups, including the Shramik Utkarsh Sabha and the BEST Kamgar Union, have distanced themselves from the strike, stating that discussions with the administration and the state government are ongoing to find a resolution to workers’ grievances.
As negotiations continue, commuters across Mumbai are bracing for further inconvenience if the strike remains unresolved in the coming days.
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