BEST Employees Extend Mumbai Bus Strike Over Contract Concerns

Protesting staff claim that the reliance on private contractors is the root cause of frequent accidents and operational instability within the fleet. Praveen Shantaram Holmukhe, a representative for the workers, stated that many employees labor for 16-hour shifts while earning a monthly wage of Rs 20,000. He characterized the current conditions as unsustainable and confirmed that the strike will persist until the administration agrees to absorb contract workers into permanent roles.

The unrest follows a major demonstration at the Dharavi depot on Friday, which prompted a heavy police presence to maintain order. Union leader Ranganath Satavase underscored a broader financial crisis, noting that retired staff have faced payment delays since 2022. Satavase specifically criticized the government’s push to develop bus depots through Public-Private Partnerships, warning that leasing land for 99 years threatens the long-term viability of the transport body. To secure the system’s future, the union is pushing for a merger of the BEST budget with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, aiming to end the reliance on private contracts and stabilize worker compensation.