Mumbai: The decks have finally been cleared to hand over two key bus depots in Mumbai for the multi-crore Dharavi redevelopment project. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking on Tuesday approved a proposal to transfer the bus depots at Dharavi and Kalakilla for the project.
Land Transfer Paves Way for Slum Rehabilitation
Sources said that the land transfer will clear the path for the massive slum rehabilitation initiative. In exchange, BEST is slated to receive two state-of-the-art, multi-storey replacement depots within the next five to seven years. The Dharavi and Kalakilla bus depots are located on an 11.58-acre plot.
Temporary and Permanent Arrangements
In the last week of April, the private contractor submitted a draft proposal for temporary and permanent arrangements for the bus depots. The BEST proposal, which received clearance from panel members, stated: “To ensure uninterrupted bus service, the contractor will construct a temporary (makeshift) bus depot on the existing plot. Also, in place of the existing bus depots, they will construct two new permanent bus depots at different locations having a total capacity of 470 buses along with necessary infrastructure facilities.”
Out of the total 11.58 acres of land of the existing Dharavi and Kalakilla bus depots, a temporary bus depot will be constructed on 6.17 acres. This can accommodate parking for 145 buses. However, the two existing depots have a capacity to hold 288 buses, meaning the remaining buses will need to be accommodated elsewhere.
Facilities for BEST Staffers
Panel member Nitin Nandgaonkar pointed out at the meeting that the temporary arrangement should have adequate facilities and amenities for BEST staffers, such as rest rooms, toilets, and changing rooms. A senior BEST official informed the panel: “The new temporary depots will be closer to the old ones and will cater to both eastern and western suburbs of the city. It will ensure that daily bus services remain less impacted during the construction phase.”
Permanent Depot Construction Timeline
After the complete construction of the permanent bus depot, the remaining 5.41 acres of land will be handed over for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. Two new bus depots will be constructed for BEST Undertaking. One new bus depot will be built on an estimated area of 8,602 square metres, with space for parking up to 275 buses. The second depot will be constructed on an area of 10,544 square metres, also capable of parking an equal number of buses.
In the new bus depot building, buses will be parked on the lower floor, while the ground floor and other upper floors will include bus depot offices and necessary facilities. The multi-storeyed structure will also enable construction of commercial properties on the upper floors. “The work of both the new bus depots is expected to be completed within seven years after the work order is given to NMDPL,” said a BEST official.
Penalty for Delays
If the construction of new bus depots is not completed within the stipulated period, a penalty will be levied as per the rules mentioned in the Development Agreement signed between Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA) and Adani Group in June 2024.
