The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) administration is preparing to expand its electricity distribution network from Mumbai’s island city into the eastern and western suburbs. The move follows Adani Electricity Mumbai’s request for Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) approval to supply power to Dharavi as part of its redevelopment project.

BEST will conduct a technical study covering the manpower, investment, infrastructure and operational capabilities required for the expansion. The administration said on Monday that the report would be completed within a month. The proposal was discussed at a BEST Committee meeting, where members from several political parties urged the undertaking to oppose Adani Electricity Mumbai’s Dharavi application before MERC.

BEST currently supplies electricity to about 1,080,000 consumers across an area stretching from Cuffe Parade and Colaba to Sion and Mahim. Its customer base includes between 400,000 and 500,000 commercial consumers. The undertaking has also supplied electricity to Dharavi for years, and officials said they would oppose the proposal covering an area with about 90,000 consumers and a population of approximately 1,000,000.

The proposed expansion follows an increase of about 5,500 consumers during FY26. Officials said Mumbai’s widespread redevelopment could create significant scope for adding customers, although the precise target would be determined after the technical assessment. BEST is considering an increase of about 8 to 10 per cent in its consumer base.

Expansion into the suburbs would place BEST in competition with Adani Electricity Mumbai, which serves about 2,900,000 consumers, and Tata Power, which supplies approximately 750,000 consumers across the island city and suburbs. Committee members have called for stronger systems and operational changes to compete with private distributors. MERC will examine the Dharavi proposal and conduct a hearing before deciding on the application.