Mumbai: 10 old BEST buses may turn into mobile toilets

MUMBAI: BMC, unable to bail out a cash-strapped BEST, may convert 10 of its iconic red buses into mobile toilets for those stuck in traffic jams in the city. The cost of procuring an old BEST bus in an auction could be around Rs 3 lakh, sources said.
The sources added that if the proposal is cleared, the toilets could come up along the Eastern and Western Express Highways and other roads.Mooted by Sewri corporator Sachin Padwal over a year ago, the proposal to convert buses that are set to be scrapped will come up for clearance this month. Officials from BMC's municipal secretary department said the matter had been listed in February's agenda of the general body meeting.
BMC opposition leader Ravi Raja has opposed the move, saying BEST had the reputation of being one of the best public transport undertakings in the country. "It will be an insult to the organisation to convert its buses into toilets," he said, adding, "I will demand at the civic general body meeting that BMC construct stationary toilets of international standard along highways and busy roads, and spare the red buses."
He said BMC should instead bail out the cash-strapped BEST, which has been unable to get a single new bus after putting up 113 for scrap this year. Waiting time at bus-stops has increased to 45 minutes too.
Padwal said the main reason for proposing the toilets was the ongoing Metro work. "It takes hours to reach from South Mumbai to the suburbs with the massive work going on along Western Express Highway. In SoBo, there is underground Metro work, while in the suburbs, it's elevated. Senior citizens and diabetic patients are the most troubled as they find it difficult to find a washroom or toilet to relieve themselves. In such a situation, it's important the administration considers turning old buses into mobile toilets. These buses can be moved from one location to another," he said.
The issue was referred to the civic administration, which issued a note that if buses were procured in an auction, BMC will have to ensure they are maintained properly and special permission is sought from RTO to ply buses that are more than 15 years old. The note also stated that "BMC will have to inspect the buses at Anik depot before procuring them in an auction. Such old buses are usually not in a good running condition and are polluting. So, BMC will have to ensure they are repaired and are in a good condition if they have to be converted," the note stated.
Padwal said BMC should ensure the buses are redesigned for use by men and women. "They can be modified with an appropriate design suiting needs of all motorists. I have been pursuing this proposal for very long and am happy the civic body and BEST administration have positively responded to it," he said. He said it was unfortunate the issue was being politicized by the Opposition.
The cost of rebuilding the buses as toilets and repair costs have not been mentioned. Modalities are likely to be worked out once the proposal is cleared.