BEST cancels 38 routes as waterlogging worsens, many buses stuck across city
Commuters are urged to closely monitor official advisories and plan travel in advance, as conditions and route changes continue to evolve with ongoing heavy rainfall.
3 min read
Compounding the impact, at least ten BEST buses were confirmed stuck in waterlogged areas by mid-afternoon. (Express photo)The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) network continued to escalate its response throughout Tuesday after relentless rains worsened waterlogging across the city, leading to cancellations, diversion or curtailment of 38 bus routes by late afternoon.
As per the latest advisory, recent additions include curtailments on Aliyavar Jung Road, Kurla Depot and TATA Colony, reflecting the expanding scope of disruptions across both ‘UP’ and ‘DOWN’ directions for major depots including Anik, Wadala, Kalakilla, Central among others.
Compounding the impact, at least ten BEST buses were confirmed stuck in waterlogged areas by mid-afternoon. Buses on routes such as Aarey Unit No 22, Master Wadi, Dunkan Co Bhandup Sonapur, Andheri Sub Way, Shital Cinema, R-City Mall Ghatkopar, Oshiwara, Bhandup Station, Asalpha, and Vijay Nagar were immobilized between 8.20 am and 11.30 am, forcing removal of operations by BEST teams during the day.
The earliest route disruptions began at Shell Colony, Anik depot, as early as 6 am, with immediate diversions of buses 360, 355, and 357. Wadala followed with changes on B A Road at Hindmata from 6.20 am, affecting popular routes 368 and C40. The crisis grew into the afternoon as additional points in Andheri, Malad, Mira Road, and other locations experienced new cut-offs and reroutes. Office-goers and students were especially hard hit in areas like Andheri and Malad, where connections to Aarey Colony Unit No 22 and Oshiwara Bridge became unreliable amid flooding, causing long delays and forcing commuters to seek alternative arrangements.
South Mumbai also saw severe impacts, with buses curtailed or rerouted well before major destinations such as Byculla Bus Stand, Mahalaxmi Bridge, and Prabhadevi New Link Road. Buses serving central and southern districts often ended routes at intermediate stations, creating widespread inconvenience at offices, markets, and hospitals throughout the day.
“My regular morning commute from Andheri was badly affected today because the buses from Aarey Colony and Oshiwara Bridge were diverted due to waterlogging. I waited at Unit No 22 for nearly an hour and had to walk to the metro station as there were no direct buses. It made me very late to reach my office in Lower Parel,” said Rakesh Patil, a 32-year-old IT professional from Andheri.
As Central and Harbour Railway lines were closed, BEST deployed extra buses by 16.30 to support commuters. Key additions included seven buses from Kurla Station East to Vashi, several buses to CSMT via Free Way and Sion, and extra trips between CSMT, Deonar Depot, Amar Mahal, Mulund, Khari Gaon, Teen Hath Naka, and M P Chowk. These reinforcements helped maintain commuter movement across affected routes.
A BEST spokesperson said, “Due to continued heavy rains and severe waterlogging at multiple locations, several bus routes have been diverted, curtailed, or cancelled throughout the day in the interest of public safety. Our teams are working continuously to reroute buses via available roads and keep the public informed.”
Commuters are urged to closely monitor official advisories and plan travel in advance, as conditions and route changes continue to evolve with ongoing heavy rainfall.
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