Mumbai Engineer Spends Decade Documenting Every BEST Bus Since 1926, Now on Display at Museum
A Mumbai-based engineer has spent a decade documenting every BEST bus model since 1926, creating detailed pixel art illustrations now showcased at the BEST Museum in Anik.
Best BusMumbaiVarun DikshitBest MuseumBus HistoryReal Estate MumbaiAug 02, 2025
Born on May 15, 1991, in Mahim, Mumbai, and currently working in the IT sector after completing his engineering from Mumbai University, Varun Dikshit has always been fascinated by the bright red BEST buses. Interestingly, this fascination only deepened after his family shifted to Thane in 2002. That change allowed his emotions to flow through his drawings, and it was in that very year he started sketching buses. He still remembers those childhood days when he used to travel to Mumbai, more excited about spotting BEST buses than meeting his relatives.
Due to the change in the bus lifespan policy from 21 to 15 years, many older buses were replaced with shiny new ones over the last four to seven years. This sparked his excitement and led him to do a BEST bus photoshoot in 2006 using his first digital camera, which he had specially purchased for this purpose. He also meticulously noted down bus numbers and models in a handwritten diary, which later helped him create more accurate drawings.
Time flew as Varun grew up, and in 2014, he started making digital paintings using Microsoft Paint. To continue the joy of hand-painting, he would design and print just the outlines, and later paint the rest of the bus by hand to satisfy his creative urge. In 2015, when he visited the BEST Museum for the first time, he got in touch with Yatin Pimpale, who greatly helped him in getting the dimensions of the most recent and classic models used by BEST at the time. That same year, he also gifted the museum one of his hand-painted bus sheets.
Later in 2022, they formed a social networking group of enthusiasts with similar interests, and this collaboration helped him refine his drawings with greater accuracy. “His drawings cover the entire fleet of passenger buses from the past 99 years. We’ve also provided reference pictures for many of the buses he has drawn, so viewers get proper context. Rare archival photos have been sourced from movies, public records, and various collections,” said BEST Museum curator Yatin Pimpale.
A model of Mumbai's 26 bus depots was created by the civil department during the BEST Golden Jubilee celebrations, which has now been restored after 28 years. A “street light tree” showcasing different types of lights and bulbs that were used on Mumbai's streets over the decades. The museum’s entrance and staircase walls have been adorned with new graffiti bearing BEST public service messages.
1926 was the year of inception of the BEST bus, and Varun's decade-long project is a testament to his passion and dedication to preserving the history of Mumbai's iconic public transport system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Varun Dikshit?
Varun Dikshit is a Mumbai-based engineer who has spent a decade documenting every BEST bus model since 1926 through detailed drawings and pixel art illustrations.
What is the BEST Museum?
The BEST Museum is a museum in Anik, Mumbai, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking, including its bus fleet.
When did Varun start his project?
Varun started his project in 2006, when he began taking photos of BEST buses and noting down bus numbers and models in a handwritten diary.
What tools did Varun use to create his drawings?
Varun used Microsoft Paint to create digital paintings and also printed outlines to hand-paint the rest of the bus by hand.
What other exhibits are featured at the BEST Museum?
The BEST Museum features a model of Mumbai's 26 bus depots, a 'street light tree' showcasing different types of lights and bulbs used over the decades, and new graffiti on the entrance and staircase walls.
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