230 BEST buses to be repaired within a year

As many as 230 buses of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, which are standing idle at various depots, would be repaired at a cost of around Rs20 crore. A proposal in this regard has been approved by the BEST standing committee. It will be nearly a year before these buses start plying on Mumbai roads.

Standing committee member Kedar Hombalkar said, "The chassis of these buses would remain the same. Only the exterior body, presently made of mild steel, will be replaced with aluminum structure. Mild steel is on the heavier side, which lessens fuel efficiency."

On an average, these buses had been in service for 7-8 years and are in a bad shape. The body has either corroded or worn off due to poor road conditions. The buses would be repaired at a rate of 20-25 per month.