Nearly two years after it was first proposed, the transfer of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport’s (BEST) Dharavi and Kalakilla bus depots to the Adani-led Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL) for the Dharavi redevelopment project is now moving ahead.
The two depots together cover 11.58 acres of land.
According to a proposal set to be discussed by the BEST undertaking, temporary arrangements are being planned as the construction of permanent replacement depots is expected to take up to seven years.
The proposal is still awaiting approval from the BEST Committee and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Temporary bus depot planned
As part of the interim arrangement, a temporary depot will be built on 6.17 acres of the existing land. The temporary facility will be able to accommodate 145 buses.
However, the current Dharavi and Kalakilla depots together hold 288 buses, creating a shortage of parking space for the remaining vehicles.
BEST officials are still working on alternative arrangements for the remaining buses.
The proposal states that the remaining 5.41 acres of land will only be handed over to the redevelopment project once the permanent depots are completed and operational.
According to BEST officials, two new permanent multi-storey depots will be constructed under the redevelopment plan.
Depot 1, spread across 8,602 square metres, will have the capacity to park up to 275 buses. Depot 2, built on 10,544 square metres, will also accommodate up to 275 buses.
Commercial spaces are expected to be developed on the upper floors of both buildings.
Penalty clause for delays
Officials said that once the permanent depots become operational, the temporary depot site will be fully handed over by BEST to the Dharavi redevelopment project and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).
The agreement also includes a penalty clause for delays. If the developer fails to complete the project within the agreed timeline, penalties will be imposed as per the Development Agreement (DA) signed in June 2024.
Major step in Dharavi redevelopment
The proposed transfer marks another important step in the large-scale Dharavi redevelopment project, which aims to transform one of Asia’s largest informal settlements through new housing, infrastructure and commercial development.
