BEST moves to get AAI’s nod for Santacruz depot’s revamp | Mumbai News

Mumbai: Seeking to redevelop its bus depot and staff quarters in Santacruz, BEST has invited applications to appoint a consultant for obtaining an NOC from Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the structures’ height.The over 13,000sqm bus depot and the staff quarters fall within the Juhu airport’s ‘funnel zone’ on SV Road. The height of buildings falling within this designated airspace around an airport are restricted to ensure clear paths for flight takeoffs and landings. AAI is a statutory body responsible for the management, development and operation of airports throughout the country. As per a notice from BEST, the appointed consultant will have to conduct a detailed topography survey. “The consultant will have to conduct a physical site survey for obtaining an AAI NOC determining the permissible height of the proposed structures… The plot has been divided into five parts for obtaining different heights according to the airport funnel zone,” it said. It said the survey report, the necessary documents and the NOC application to AAI must be prepared in two months of issuance of the acceptance letter. “The required NOC determining the permissible height of proposed structures from AAI shall be obtained and submitted to the BEST undertaking within four months.” The redevelopment plan has left many city activists fuming. “BEST is planning to give away all depots to private players like it did with the Mahim and Kurla depots. Both were given to a builder to be developed,” said an activist. Another citizen activist, Zoru Bhathena, tweeted: “BEST Santacruz bus depot & staff quarters… on its way for real estate development.” According to citizen group Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST, BMC and BEST should not monetise their plots because those are assets of BEST. They should look at more land to increase parking capacity so that the fleet can be expanded, it said. A transport activist said that if more plots are redeveloped, there could be less space left for bus parking. BEST plans to increase its fleet to 8,000 buses by 2026-27. A BEST official said proper procedures were being followed for the Santacruz depot owing to its proximity to the Juhu airport.