The strike by employees of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) entered its second day on Saturday, as workers continued their protest against the contract-based bus system and demanded permanent employment status for long-serving staff.

Protesting employee Praveen Shantaram Holmukhe told ANI that the agitation was not about salary hikes but focused on ending the wet-lease bus system and regularising BEST workers. He alleged that contract-operated buses were responsible for several operational issues and accidents, and questioned why existing employees were not being made permanent despite working long hours. Holmukhe said many workers put in nearly 16 hours of duty but receive only around ₹20,000 in salary, adding that bus services would resume once their demands are addressed. He also claimed that no discussions had taken place with the government so far.

The protest began on Friday with a large demonstration by BEST staff at the Dharavi depot, where employees raised concerns over pending demands, salary issues, and other long-standing grievances. Police personnel were deployed at the site to ensure security and maintain order. BEST Workers’ Union leader Ranganath Satavase highlighted financial difficulties faced by both current and retired employees, stating that many retired workers have been awaiting their dues since 2022, while some workers are not receiving minimum wages.

Satavase also raised concerns over the proposed development of BEST depots under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, questioning the future of the transport service if depots are leased out for extended periods. The union further reiterated its demand to merge the BEST budget with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) budget, saying the move would help strengthen the financial stability of the transport body.