With the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections just ten days away, the Mumbai unit of the Indian National Congress has placed the revival of the city's iconic transport utility at the centre of its campaign. On Sunday, January 4, 2026, the party released a dedicated manifesto titled 'BEST Revival: 9-Point Action Plan' under the banner 'Mission BEST Bachao'.
Core Philosophy: Service Over Profit
The document, unveiled by Congress leaders Sachin Sawant and Varsha Gaikwad, the MP and Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee president, presents a fundamental shift in perspective. It pitches the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking as an essential public service that should not be driven by a profit motive. The party has squarely blamed the current administrator-led governance model and the growing reliance on private contractors for the undertaking's woes, including rising operational costs, reduction in services, and a decline in reliability.
Key Promises of the Action Plan
The Congress's revival blueprint outlines several concrete measures aimed at restoring BEST's financial health and operational efficiency. A major financial proposal is that all operational expenses of BEST should be directly borne by the BMC. To supplement this, the plan suggests generating additional funds through municipal charges like parking fees.
In a move aimed at protecting commuters, the manifesto states that bus fares should not be increased without two key steps: a public hearing and a recommendation from an independent committee. This seeks to introduce greater transparency and public accountability in fare revision processes.
Halting Privatisation and Auditing Land Deals
One of the most significant pledges is a complete halt to the privatisation of BEST services. The Congress has promised to stop all new wet-lease agreements and private contracts. Furthermore, it aims to bring all operations, maintenance, and staffing fully under the direct control of BEST within a three-year timeframe.
The party has also demanded an independent audit approved by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to scrutinise the reasons behind falling revenues, escalating costs, and to evaluate the performance of existing private operators.
On the contentious issue of BEST's valuable land assets, the manifesto takes a firm stand against commercial exploitation. It states that all depot lands must be reserved strictly for transport-related uses and calls for an audit of past land deals to ensure no public asset was undervalued or misused.
Route Restoration and Passenger Safety
To improve connectivity, the plan commits to restoring the long-distance and cross-city bus routes that were discontinued after 2017. It also promises to introduce new east-west and cross-harbour routes based on actual passenger demand surveys.
For passenger safety, the Congress has proposed a public portal that would provide detailed information on bus breakdowns, fire incidents, and passenger complaints. During the transition phase away from private contracts, the party promises daily inspections of contract-operated buses. It also emphasises regular fire safety checks for the growing fleet of electric buses.
The release of this focused manifesto sets the stage for transport and public service to be a key battleground in the upcoming BMC polls, with the Congress presenting a clear alternative vision that prioritises public ownership and commuter welfare over commercial interests.
