BEST Approves Transfer of Dharavi and Kalakilla Bus Depots for Dharavi Redevelopment

Mumbai: The BEST Undertaking has finally given the green light to transfer two critical bus depots in Mumbai for the ambitious Dharavi redevelopment project. The decision, made on Tuesday, clears the path for the massive slum rehabilitation initiative. BEST will receive two state-of-the-art, multi-storey replacement depots within the next five to seven years.

The Dharavi and Kalakilla bus depots are situated on a plot of 11.58 acres. According to sources, a private contractor submitted a draft proposal for temporary and permanent arrangements for the bus depots in the last week of April. The proposal, which received clearance from the panel members, outlines the construction of a temporary bus depot on the existing plot to ensure uninterrupted bus services during the redevelopment phase.

“To ensure uninterrupted bus service, the contractor will construct a temporary (makeshift) bus depot on the existing plot. Also, in place of the existing bus depots, they will construct two new permanent bus depots at different locations with a total capacity of 470 buses and necessary infrastructure facilities,” said the BEST proposal.

The temporary bus depot will be constructed on 6.17 acres of the 11.58-acre plot and will accommodate the parking of 145 buses. This presents a challenge as the two depots currently have a combined capacity to hold 288 buses. Panel member Nitin Nandgaonkar emphasized the need for adequate facilities and amenities for BEST staffers in the temporary arrangement, such as rest rooms, toilets, and changing rooms.

A senior BEST official reassured the panel that the new temporary depots will be close to the old ones and will cater to both the eastern and western suburbs of the city. “It will ensure that daily bus services remain less impacted during the construction phase,” the official stated.

Once the permanent bus depots are fully constructed, the remaining 5.41 acres of land will be handed over for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. Two new bus depots will be built for BEST. One will be constructed on an estimated area of 8,602 square meters, capable of parking up to 275 buses. The second depot will be built on an area of 10,544 square meters, with a similar capacity.

Sources revealed that the new bus depot buildings will be multi-storeyed, allowing for the construction of commercial properties on the upper floors. “The work of both the new bus depots is expected to be completed within seven years after the work order is given to NMDPL,” a BEST official added.

If the construction of the new bus depots is not completed within the stipulated period, penalties will be imposed according to the rules outlined in the Development Agreement signed between the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA) and the Adani Group in June 2024.