Mumbai: Newly-elected BE-ST committee chairman Ashish Chemburkar on Tuesday said the city will soon get 200 double-decker buses, including 100 whose tenders have already been floated. “The double-decker bus has always been iconic for Mumbai and a pride of the city for several years. Its fleet size has shrunk to 51. I will ensure it goes up four-fold,” he said on assuming charge. Chemburkar, a Shiv Sena corporator, is BEST panel chief for the fifth time. He earlier held the post in 2002-03, 2004-05 and 2018.
He announced a three-member committee, comprising doctors from civic hospitals, to expedite scrutiny of documents of staff who died during pandemic, and release ex gratia of Rs 50 lakh each to families of deceased. BEST is also providing jobs to next of kin, he said.
Chemburkar said he directed electricity wing officials to strengthen the network and cabling in the island city, and ensure against power cuts during summer.
Chemburkar said he will push for Rs 406-crore ‘assistance’ from BMC to settle gratuity claims of retired BEST staffs and pending Covid allowance (daily Rs300) for drivers and conductors for the last few months. Somit Sen
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/mumbai-200-double-deckers-no-power-cuts-best/articleshow/81940488.cms
