The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has formally approached the city’s public transport agency, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking, seeking bus services for students who have been relocated from Mahim to new schools in Sion. The shift, necessitated by structural concerns at the old school, has resulted in daily commutes of more than three kilometres for approximately 141 students, posing challenges to their access to education and overall wellbeing.
The new school, situated at Jain Society in Sion, accommodates 101 students from the Hindi medium and 40 from the Marathi medium. Despite repeated requests from the school administration and BMC’s education department over the past six months, no dedicated transport service has been provided to these students. A senior BMC official noted that the education department has been actively corresponding with BEST but has yet to receive a formal response, leaving families to rely on walking or private arrangements. Urban transport analysts observe that such gaps in last-mile connectivity highlight the broader challenge of integrating municipal services with public transit, particularly in densely populated cities like Mumbai. A senior planner explained that ensuring reliable student transport not only addresses educational equity but also contributes to safer streets by reducing the reliance on private vehicles for short-distance travel, thereby mitigating congestion and localised emissions.
The proposed route falls under the Dharavi and Bandra depots, where BEST officials are reportedly planning a joint inspection before finalising service deployment. The requested arrangement includes at least two daily trips between Dharavi and the New Sion Municipal School, aiming to ensure timely access for students from morning classes to extracurricular activities. Experts suggest that expediting such measures is critical, given that prolonged commutes can affect attendance, academic performance, and overall student safety. The situation also underscores the importance of proactive urban planning in aligning civic infrastructure with education facilities. Analysts highlight that rapid urbanisation in Mumbai has frequently resulted in displaced communities and stretched municipal services. Coordinated action between transport and education departments can enhance accessibility while supporting sustainable mobility goals.
Parents of the affected children have voiced concern over the lack of formalised solutions, emphasising that the absence of dedicated transport places undue burden on both families and students. Civic authorities indicate that once the depot inspection is completed, a decision on bus allocation will be made, potentially setting a precedent for handling student transport needs in other parts of the city. With Mumbai’s population continuing to grow and schools being relocated for safety and development reasons, ensuring integrated transport solutions for students remains a pressing civic priority. Effective implementation could improve equitable access to education while reinforcing the role of sustainable public transport in urban resilience.
BMC Seeks BEST Support For Student Transport
