Senior IAS officer S. V. R. Srinivas has taken additional charge as the General Manager of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking.
The undertaking, which has been without a full-time chief for more than a month, is currently facing administrative challenges and operational hurdles. After the Kurla bus accident, then-General Manager Anil Diggikar was transferred. Following this, an order was issued for the appointment of a new GM, Harshdeep Kamble, but it was later canceled.
Srinivas, a 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, brings over two decades of experience in urban planning, transportation, metro rail, and infrastructure development. He has held key positions in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), and Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). At present, he serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.
Throughout his career, Srinivas has played a crucial role in urban planning, housing redevelopment, finance, and infrastructure structuring. His experience extends to collaboration with international funding agencies and corporate institutions on large-scale projects.
BEST, which operates Mumbai’s public bus and electricity supply services, has been grappling with financial constraints, fleet modernization challenges, and service efficiency concerns.
As Mumbai’s lifeline, BEST requires strong leadership to navigate its transformation into a modern, sustainable, and financially viable public transport system. "While Srinivas' appointment brings temporary relief, the demand for a full-time General Manager remains a pressing issue for the organization’s long-term growth" said an union leader.
