BMC To Convert Old BEST Buses Into Art Galleries And Libraries

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is attempting to draw citizens' attention towards art and books in Mumbai. The civic body is about to introduce mobile art galleries and libraries to the city streets.

Once the idea gets a nod from all relevant authorities, the civic body will transform about five scrapped buses from Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) into libraries and art galleries.

One bus will be stationed at the JJ Signal, and spots to station the other four buses will be decided soon.

Under the proposal put forth by Guardian Minister Deepak Kesarkar, the civic organization will turn single and double-decker buses that are no longer in use. The buses will be placed in various locations throughout the city's A and B wards on a trial basis after being retrofitted.

The Guardian Minister claims that the proposal aims to provide emerging artists with a platform to display their skills in the face of the increasingly competitive process of obtaining exhibition spaces at established art galleries.

Addressing a press conference Deepak Kesarkar said the city's Jehangir art gallery has a two-year waiting list. BEST has donated some scrapped double-decker buses that will be converted into art galleries and libraries to help artists showcase their work who face such challenges. These buses will be located in the prime areas of the city.

This latest project proposal comes along the heels of BMC’s plans to start a ‘gym on wheels’ for women. For gym on wheels project, a bus will be transformed into a gym and all gym equipment will be installed in the bus. The bus will be driving across Mumbai and people can hop in to exercise. The project’s goal is to cater attention of working women and housewives towards their health. Women mostly neglect their physical health amid busy life routines. Officials are stating that the pilot project aims to deploy the vehicles across the slum pockets of the city.

Currently, the decision-making process is in its final stage. However, the roving gyms are slated to hit the streets by the end of this year.

Earlier, in November 2023, the civic body said that it would transform scrapped buses into mobile toilets across the city for women. The buses are being procured through the corporate social responsibility scheme 'Mahilasathi Swacchatagruha' or Pink Utility centres. The first utility centre is set to be built adjacent to the Byculla railway station.

Mumbai said goodbye to the iconic BEST bus in September 2023. The buses graced the roads of Mumbai for 80 years. The buses reached the end of their 15-year lifespan. The Maharashtra government phased out the iconic double-decker buses operated by BEST in an effort to reduce air pollution. Double-decker buses are replaced by more contemporary, electric buses.

The ability of electric vehicles to improve the quality of the air in cities and towns is their main advantage. Pure electric vehicles don't emit any carbon dioxide or other harmful emissions when they drive because they have no tailpipe. As a result, air pollution is greatly decreased. Cities like Mumbai need to take appropriate steps to control air pollution.

Apart from utilising buses for washrooms, art galleries, and libraries, the civic body of the city is planning to introduce the "Terrace Garden" project to every civic-run school.