Rs100 crore aid for BEST transport

Ahead of the crucial general and assembly elections, the deliberative wing of the BMC has been against fare hike proposed by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), the transport wing of the civic body.

The already cash-strapped transport body will suffer a loss of Rs150 crore if there is no hike in fare.

To bridge the gap, the BMC has decided to give BEST Rs100 crore.

On asked why the BMC is doling out only two third of the amount required by BEST, civic chief Sitaram Kunte said a decision would be taken during a meeting between civic and the transport undertaking officials. He added that the monetary assistance is for 2014-15 only.

“BEST is our (BMC’s) wing. But we don’t want to make the monetary assistance a trend. Hence, so far, the Rs100 crore help is limited for this year only,” Kunte added.