With the strike jointly called by 12 unions of workers of the BEST, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport, bus network in Mumbai, entering its third day on Sunday, the stage is set for more chaos and disruption than when it began. The Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act has been invoked but may have little impact. Private bus operators in commercial business districts like Bandra-Kurla Complex and Powai, app-based cabs, autorickshaws, and black-and-yellow taxis have proved insufficient to handle the load. A staggering 2.5 million commuters use the BEST buses every day across its fleet of 2600-2700 buses.

The BEST service remains Mumbai’s most widely connecting public service network........

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