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Kurla bus depot, Mahim terminus redevelopment back on track
The much-delayed redevelopment of BEST’s Kurla depot near Bandra-Kurla Complex and Mahim bus terminus is now on track.
The much-delayed redevelopment of BEST’s Kurla depot near Bandra-Kurla Complex and Mahim bus terminus is now on track.
The redevelopment includes a new bus depot, quarters for BEST workers and a commercial complex.
According to the BEST administration, the newly built Kurla depot will be functional by 2012. The commercial development at the Kurla depot will be done by 2013. The BEST will earn Rs42 crore from developers with the new depot and quarters built.
The redevelopment of the Kurla bus depot was taken up after the 2006 floods.
“It has been about three months since the development work started and we will get the bus depot by next year,” said NA Walawalkar, public relations officer, BEST.
The redevelopment will allow for a smooth commute. It will also ensure better maintenance and more parking spaces for BEST buses.
Parsvanath developers based in Delhi had signed a contract with the BEST in 2006, in which it was granted 30% land for commercial development.
BEST committee member Sunil Ganacharya had raised the issue of much delayed redevelopment. “The redevelopment was delayed only because the developer wanted the claim on 50% of the land for the commercial development. They should have been penalised for such a delay,” said Ganacharya.
Meanwhile, the redevelopment contract of the Mahim bus terminus was given to Parsvanath Developers last year. The redevelopment will start within 45 days.
“The Mahim bus terminus was caught in the legal hassle and that’s why its development was delayed. We will get a newly built terminus and a commercial building at Mahim as well in 2012,” said Walawalkar.
The BEST has earned Rs 31 crore from this contract.
BEST committee chairman Sanjay Potnis had said in the committee meeting on Wednesday that the transport provider would consider building and developing more depots in the suburban in the city.
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