BEST Employees Begin Indefinite Strike, Raising Concerns Over Mumbai Commuter Services
Strike over wages and benefits disrupts Mumbai’s public transport.
Public transport services across Mumbai faced significant disruption on Friday after employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking began an indefinite strike, pressing for the fulfilment of several long-pending demands, including salary revisions and structural reforms. The protest, led by employee unions, saw workers gather in large numbers at the Dharavi depot, where they vowed to continue their agitation until their concerns are addressed.
The strike has affected the operation of BEST buses, a critical component of Mumbai’s public transportation network used daily by millions of commuters. Anticipating possible unrest, authorities deployed a heavy police presence at key depots and protest sites to maintain law and order. Union representatives said employees had exhausted other avenues to secure redressal of their grievances and were left with no option but to intensify their protest.
Among the primary demands is the merger of BEST’s budget with that of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a move employees believe would improve the financial stability of the transport undertaking. Workers are also seeking the settlement of pending legal dues owed to retired employees and the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations for the period between 2016 and 2026. Employee unions argue that these measures are necessary to ensure fair compensation and financial security for current and former staff.
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The protesters have also called for an end to contractual arrangements in both the transport and electricity divisions of BEST. Another major demand is the absorption of workers employed through wet-lease bus operators into the regular BEST workforce. According to employee representatives, increasing reliance on outsourced services has adversely affected job security and working conditions, while creating disparities among workers performing similar duties.
The strike has proceeded despite legal and administrative efforts to prevent disruptions. An industrial court had issued an ad-interim order restraining employees from stopping work, while the Maharashtra government invoked the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA), which prohibits interruptions to essential public services. However, union leaders maintained that unresolved issues and delays in addressing employee concerns compelled them to move ahead with the protest.
For Mumbai residents, the strike is likely to mean reduced bus availability, longer waiting times and increased pressure on alternative modes of transport, including suburban trains, metro services, taxis and auto-rickshaws. With no immediate resolution in sight, commuters may continue to face inconvenience in the coming days. Employee unions have indicated that the agitation will continue until meaningful negotiations take place and their demands receive a concrete response from the authorities.
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