The state government has proposed that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) allocate 3 per cent of its total budget every year to provide financial support to the cash-strapped Brihanmumbai Electric and Transport (BEST). In addition, the government is considering the creation of a new agency—the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA)—to streamline transport services and address related issues in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

On Friday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired the meeting to review transport-related issues. Fadnavis, describing the BEST as the lifeline of Mumbai, said, “Every year, the BMC gives financial assistance to the BEST. But, the civic administration should consider annually allocating three per cent of its total budget to the Brihanmumbai Electric and Transport (BEST), the CM mentioned.