Bus stop at BWSL

BEST Won't ply on the sea link as toll will have to be paid by passengers

BEST Won't ply on the sea link as toll will have to be paid by passengers

Driving on the majestic Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) may remain a privilege only for those who own cars.

The average Mumbaikar who commutes by BEST buses will have to wait a little longer to travel on India's engineering marvel that opened to the public today.

The BEST undertaking has refused to ply its buses on the BWSL to protest the toll decided by the state government for using the 5.6-km stretch.

Gandhi march: Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Johny Joseph welcomes Sonia Gandhi during the inauguration of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link yesterday.

Dilip Patel, chairperson, BEST, said, "BEST buses won't use the BWSL till the state government agrees to our demands regarding the toll."

The Maharashtra government had asked BEST to pay Rs 100 as a one-way toll for every bus that uses the sea link.

However, BEST suggested the government issue a Rs 2,500 monthly pass.
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"We sent the proposal last week and got a positive response from the government.

We were shocked when they didn't agree with our proposal yesterday," added Patel.
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The BEST says its decision to protest is in the interest of the commuters.
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"Had we agreed on the toll decided by the government, we would have had to increase the fare.

Every Mumbaikar would want to travel on the sea link.

However, for those who don't own cars, hiring a taxi is not a viable option either as it will prove costly (see box). We want to provide the best to our commuters at a minimum cost," explained Patel.
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Promoting tourism

The BEST had earlier decided to start an open-air bus service on the sea link. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation had provided five open-deck buses to BEST to promote tourism.

"These buses will ply from the Bandra-Kurla Complex to BWSL once we reach a consensus on the toll with the state government. Commuters will have to pay for a return journey since we don't want to incur losses," said Patel.
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BEST has not finalised the fares for this service.

Rs 1,634 cr
The amount spent by the u00a0state government to build u00a0the sea link

Worth the Money

Commuters can travel on the sea link for free between July 1 and 5. Thereafter, they will have to pay a toll to use the 5.6-km stretch. The toll decided by the state government is:
Rs 50 for four wheelers
Rs 75 for a 12-seater u00a0or more
Rs 100 for trucks