BEST strike in Mumbai : In a major relief to Mumbaikars, the 9-day-old strike by around 32,000 BEST workers was called off Wednesday. Union leader Shashank Rao announced the BEST buses will again ply on roads with immediate effect. Buses are the second-biggest mode of transport in the metropolis and the ending of strike brings relief to lakhs of commuters who had been facing a harrowing time on roads.

The BEST workers' union agreed to call off the stir after accepting the '10-step' pay hike to be granted to them as an interim measure by the civic transport undertaking's management, reported PTI.

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) workers, its management and other parties concerned will now go for mediation to resolve their dispute.

The BEST workers were on strike since January 8 over their various demands, including pay hike, revision of pay scale of junior level employees and merger of BEST's budget with that of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

A state appointed high-powered committee had earlier this week suggested that the BEST employees' salary be hiked in 10 steps as an interim measure. The state government had last week invoked the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) against the striking employees. But it did take any stringent action, besides sending them notices to vacate houses given by the undertaking, the new agency reported.

Apart from city limits, 3,200 BEST buses ply to neighbouring Thane and Navi Mumbai regions.