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As the financially stressed BEST Undertaking seeks more funds from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the civic body has responded with a 15-point revival plan focused entirely on cutting losses and boosting revenue across BEST’s electricity and transport divisions.

The plan — a copy of which is with mid-day — recommends reforms ranging from stopping electricity theft and retaining power consumers to monetising vacant land and reviewing loss-making bus routes.
BEST General Manager Sonia Sethi said the undertaking had replied to the BMC’s queries after seeking financial support.

The 15-point revival plan

Electricity supply wing

1 Capital expenditure reforms
BEST has been asked to spend money on substations and receiving centres more prudently to achieve financial savings

2 Power generation goals
The undertaking has been told to set clear objectives for entering the power generation sector

3 Stop consumer migration
BEST has been asked to devise a strategy to prevent electricity consumers from shifting to rival power companies

4 Increase commercial consumers
The administration has been told to focus on adding more commercial electricity consumers

5 Explore solar energy
BEST has been asked to explore solar power generation opportunities

Transport division

6 Improve staff deployment
Proper deployment of drivers, conductors and transport staff has been suggested to improve revenue

7 Earn through basement parking
The report recommends generating revenue through basement parking facilities at garages

8 Set up an expert committee
A transport expert committee has been proposed for the overall development of BEST

9 Monetise unused land
BEST has been told to generate revenue from vacant and unused land parcels

10 Increase advertising revenue
The undertaking has been advised to revise its advertisement policy to improve income

11 Build EV charging stations
Vacant BEST plots could be used for electric vehicle charging stations to generate additional revenue

12 Create a loss-control committee
The BMC has recommended forming an active committee to control increasing annual losses

13 Review loss-making bus routes
Financially unviable bus routes should be reviewed and made sustainable, the report states

14 Crack down on electricity theft
The report recommends the deployment of a dedicated vigilance squad against electricity theft and meter tampering, along with action to be initiated against faulty meters

15 Recover pending dues
BEST has been asked to adopt a strict recovery policy for pending dues from large establishments, private institutions, construction firms, and government and semi-government offices. A separate recovery department has also been proposed

Revenue-generating ideas proposed

>> EV charging stations
>> Basement parking revenue
>> Advertising policy overhaul
>> Monetisation of vacant land
>> Recovery of pending dues

At a glance

What the revival plan focuses on

Area    Focus

Electricity: Consumer retention, solar power, theft control
Transport: Revenue generation, route review, staff efficiency
Assets: Land monetisation, parking, EV charging          
Finances: Dues recovery, loss-control measures