Nerkar re-elected BEST panel chairperson

In his address, Nerkar advocated the commercial use of bus depots to generate more revenue. He said a meeting would be arranged with the management to discuss the issue. A separate window would be opened to help BEST employees get treatment at government hospitals, and such patients would be given money in advance for the treatment.

Expressing concern over the increasing gap between demand and supply in the power sector of the undertaking, Nerkar felt that the BEST should venture into electricity production by installing more substations. He claimed that the BMC had already allotted a piece of land to BEST for putting up a 360 MW powergenerating station. While a technical report is ready, a feasibility report is being expected regarding the generation of Rs 1,200 crore required for the project. Though Nerkar was in favour of collecting funds by issuing public bonds, plans were also afoot to take a loan from the World Bank. At present, the BEST is bound under a contract with the Tata Electric Corporation for the supply of electricity till 2004.