The transport department has sought 7,000 square metre of land on lease, for which it will pay monthly rent of Rs 5 lakh. (Representational image)

Mumbai: The state transport department has sought land from the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) for test tracks at the Shivaji Nagar bus depot for a period of five years. The transport department has sought 7,000 square metre of land on lease, for which it will pay monthly rent of Rs 5 lakh. The regional transport office (RTO) needs land for test tracks to conduct vehicle fitness tests in Mumbai.

The proposal came for discussion in the BEST committee meeting on Tuesday. However, committee members have reserved approval saying that the BEST is already making losses and hence, the transport department should pay at the ready reckoner (RR) rate.

Shiv Sena corporator and BEST committee member Anil Kokil said, “We are already in a financial crisis where we don’t have money to pay gratuity of our retired employees. The transport department should at least pay as per the RR rate, hence we have opposed proposal.”

BEST committee chairman Ashish Chemburkar told The Asian Age, “We have reserved the proposal till the next meeting as members have raised several queries over the lease rate.”