Integrated transport points will be developed, MMRDA will commercially utilise BEST depots
Mumbai : The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking will join hands to develop integrated transport points along the Metro-7 corridor between Andheri East and Dahisar East.
MMRDA also plans to commercially utilise the BEST bus depot at Magathane and Dindoshi along the 17.5-km corridor.
A similar plan to link bus depot to metro stations has been mooted for the underground Metro between Colaba and SEEPZ.
According to MMRDA’s Additional Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Sethi, MMRDA and BEST will work together to develop major bus stations into such integrated transport points along the route.
“The first idea that we are talking about is that there should be a seamless travel experience for the commuter so that we can use the common mobility card. The basic idea is wherever there are Metro lines in the city, the bus access has to become easier,” Sethi said.
The various bus depots and bus stations of the BEST along the route will be integrated near the Metro stations, wherever possible, for easier access and convenience of commuters.
MMRDA, which recently floated tenders for the civil construction of the elevated corridor, has had a discussion on the integration and commercial exploitation of the land with the BEST.
As BEST owns or is in possession of various plots in the city, it was observed that its services and Metro stations can be integrated and seamless travel can be ensured, he added.
“On this route or around the route, there are a few BEST depots that could be exploited in a manner that’s it’s a win-win for both sides – in that there is some commercial exploitation and it also helps in multimodal integration,” he said.
According to sources, Magathane depot and Dindoshi depot, which are location in Borivali East and Goregaon East respectively, are being looked at for commercial exploitation.
“We have had detailed discussions with BEST and the formal inking of a deal will happen soon,” Sethi added.
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