The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has projected an overall deficit of Rs 1,317.50 crore for the financial year 2027-28, with its loss-making transport division continuing to weigh on its finances.
The budget estimates were presented before the BEST Committee by Prajakta Verma, Additional Municipal Commissioner.
BEST has projected total income of Rs 8,559.06 crore against expenditure of Rs 9,876.56 crore, resulting in a deficit of Rs 1,317.50 crore, an official statement said.
The undertaking has also proposed Rs 647.79 crore in capital expenditure to modernise Mumbai’s electricity infrastructure and public transport network, it said.
Electricity division posts surplus
According to the budget estimates, BEST’s electricity supply division is expected to remain profitable.
The division is projected to earn Rs 5,007.51 crore against expenditure of Rs 4,806.30 crore, resulting in a surplus of Rs 201.21 crore.
However, this surplus is expected to be outweighed by losses in the transport division.
BEST’s transport division is projected to generate Rs 3,551.55 crore in income against expenditure of Rs 4,702.26 crore.
This would leave the bus division with a deficit of around Rs 1,518.71 crore.
The figures highlight the continuing financial pressure on BEST’s public transport operations, despite plans to expand and modernise its bus fleet.
BEST plans 10,000-bus fleet
According to the statement, BEST plans to increase its operational fleet to 10,000 buses in the coming years.
The undertaking had 2,834 buses in September 2026, while 4,016 additional buses are being inducted in phases.
The fleet expansion will also include 1,500 electric midi-buses under the Centre’s PM-eBus Sewa scheme. BEST has also floated tenders for 200 CNG midi-buses.
BEST is also planning to introduce open-top double-decker buses for tourist Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) services covering Mumbai’s historic landmarks.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening heritage and tourist transport while offering visitors a different way to explore the city.
Digital ticketing to expand
BEST plans to expand digital ticketing through its ONE Ticket app, which is integrated with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
Digital bus ticketing is expected to become available through third-party platforms, including Paytm, PhonePe, WhatsApp, RedBus and Rapido.
Real-time monitoring to improve passenger safety
Under the proposed Integrated Transport Management System (ITMS), BEST buses will be equipped with real-time Passenger Information Systems, automatic vehicle tracking and driver-monitoring cameras.
The system will be monitored through a Central Command and Control Centre.
BEST is also setting up advanced driving simulators at its Dindoshi training facility. The simulators will allow drivers to train for challenging conditions, including heavy rain and other hazardous situations, without being exposed to physical risks during training.
Power grid to get major upgrade
BEST has also planned major upgrades to its electricity distribution network under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
The plans include replacing ageing transformers and circuit breakers and laying more than 150 km of high-voltage subsea and ground cables between 2026 and 2028.
Cybersecurity centre planned
With BEST’s power grid increasingly dependent on digital monitoring through an Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS), the undertaking plans to establish a dedicated Security Operations Centre (SOC).
The centre will focus on protecting critical electricity infrastructure from cyber threats. BEST also aims to obtain ISO 27001 certification for its information security systems.
