A Navi Mumbai municipal bus was stopped from entering Mumbai this week, in spite of a free run given to municipal transport units within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Officials of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) refused entry to the bus, an air-conditioned Volvo run by Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT), at the Bandra depot on Friday morning, NMMT officials said. When NMMT officials asked why, they were allegedly told that the orders had come from the BEST officials’ superiors.

After NMMT procured new buses from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme early this month, it started new services, one of which was the Belapur-Bandra railway station service from July 14.

“We had secured permission from the state government as we knew such problems could arise,” said NMMT chairman Shashi Damodaran. “When BEST buses enter our depots and use our terminals, even our buses should be allowed to enter their depots. Commuters should be given top priority instead of fighting among ourselves,” he added.

BEST general manager Uttam Khobragade said, “If someone enters my house, he has to take my permission. I have specifically told my depot manager to restrict NMMT buses entry to the depot.”

Asked about BEST entering NMMT areas and using its depots, he said, “They had requested us to come to Navi Mumbai, which was an investment itself. When they come to our city limits, they have to take our permission.”

“With this attitude, we cannot even start new bus services from Navi Mumbai to Mumbai,” said Damodaran. “We agree that they are the big brother, but allow us to grow as well and give commuters priority.”

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