BEST may not take your calls this monsoon

There might not be enough people manning the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport’s (BEST) substations this monsoon. The undertaking sees increased number of distress calls from its power consumers during the monsoon. But committee members have said that with around 60 of its electrical officers retiring in May and no new recruitment, the calls might be left unanswered.

The BEST will see a total 566 officers retiring in May, out of which 56 belong to the electrical department. This means the BEST power consumers in South Mumbai who might call if the lights in their homes go out may not get anyone at the other end to answer the call. “Not only does this mean that the officials might not answer the call if the consumer calls but we actually might not have enough men to send to the respective area and fix the problem,” said BEST committee member Sunil Ghanacharya.

Other committee members like Suhas Samant wondered that if an emergency case the consumer’s problem is not fixed, who would be held responsible. “We have to have some accountability, if the consumers are stuck without electricity in their homes then who will be held responsible ” he asked.

As a result of this a disaster management book for emergencies that consumers could use was thought of, but is yet to be brought out.