The indefinite strike by Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) employees was called off on Sunday night following a meeting between their unions and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, officials confirmed. According to NDTV, the strike, which had severely disrupted bus services across Mumbai for the last three days, was withdrawn following discussions chaired by Shinde with representatives of the BEST Sanyukt Kamgar Kruti Samiti and other stakeholders at the Sahyadi Guest House. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sachin Ahir, who is also the coordinator of a joint action committee of BEST employees' unions, made the announcement after Shinde announced that permanent and wet-lease employees would receive an interim pay hike of ₹3,000 and ₹2,000 per month, respectively. As per NDTV, Ahir confirmed that some of the employees' major demands have also been accepted, with BEST buses expected to soon return to the city's roads.
BEST is Mumbai's second-largest public transport provider after the suburban railway network and carries around 25 lakh passengers daily. According to Business Standard, the civic undertaking currently operates a fleet of around 2,766 buses, of which only 48 were operating on Friday, with a turnout of only 38 buses recorded. The striking employees have also demanded that BEST supply electricity to more than 10 lakh consumers in the financial capital. The strike has severely impacted the daily commute of lakhs of people in the financial capital, with many office-goers, students, senior citizens and patients reporting difficulties in reaching their destinations due to the near-total suspension of bus services. The disruption affected services across parts of Mumbai, including Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Kurla, Bandra South Mumbai, areas Central and eastern suburbs. The protest by the BEST Sanyukt Kamgar Kruti Samiti could impact bus services used by around 23 lakh daily passengers and may also affect electricity-related services managed by BEST.
The strike has resulted in severe operational disruptions and violent incidents across Mumbai's transport network. According to Business Standard, 26 incidents of stone-pelting, threatening, flattening tyres and damage to bus mirrors were reported on the first day of the strike. Six buses had to return due to stone-pelting incidents, highlighting the violent nature of the protests. The disruption affected services across parts of Mumbai, including Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Kurla, Bandra South Mumbai, areas Central and eastern suburbs. The strike coincides with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority's (MMRDA) Public Transport Day event at Bandra-Kurla Complex, despite plans to deploy additional BEST buses to ease commuter travel during the programme. Huge queues were witnessed at the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line 3 at the CSMT station as many commuters who used to travel by bus opted for the Metro, leading to heavy crowding.
The striking employees have demanded the merger of BEST's budget with that of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a one-time settlement of legal dues of retired employees, implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations for the 2016-2026 period, and abolition of contractual arrangements. As reported by PTI, the unions have also sought absorption of wet-lease bus workers into BEST, recruitment to vacant posts, operation of 6,000 buses under BEST ownership, promotions for eligible employees and withdrawal of privatisation and public-private partnership models. The committee has also demanded an end to contractual employment in the transport and electricity departments and the induction of 5,000 buses under BEST ownership. Union leaders have also raised concerns over delayed salaries, pending arrears, welfare facilities and working conditions, with BEST Workers' Union leader Ranganath Satavase stating that those who retired did not get their money since 2022, and waitlisted workers are not getting even the minimum wages. Two unions representing BEST employees distanced themselves from the agitation, with the Shramik Utkarsh Sabha and the BEST Kamgar Union stating they would not participate in a protest march scheduled in Mumbai on Friday, with the two unions being represented by BJP leaders Prasad Lad and Shashank Rao who stated discussions with the BEST administration and the Maharashtra government were continuing.
Despite appeals by the Maharashtra Transport Minister and invocation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act, employees remained firm on strike until the latest developments. According to Business Standard, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Friday held a joint meeting with leaders of the action committee, officials of the Urban Development Department and the BEST administration on the directions of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, but the discussions remained inconclusive. The administration has invoked the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA), prohibiting BEST employees from going on leave or participating in the strike. With BEST buses off the roads, commuters at Kurla station have been forced to rely on suburban rail and auto rickshaws, leading to severe overcrowding and chaotic scenes at Kurla station during peak hours. Recent photographs show massive surge in passenger footfall at Kurla station as the ongoing BEST bus strike disrupted last-mile connectivity, leaving commuters scrambling for alternative transport amid long waits and overcrowded trains.
