Authorities are frequently criticised when projects are abandoned, delayed, incomplete or not put to its desired purpose.
But at Shiroda, a large project was completed six years ago but it continues to remain idle simply because the beneficiaries are reluctant to utilise the project.
Growing traffic congestion at the Shiroda market has now prompted residents to demand the utilisation of the Shiroda KTC bus stand, which has been unused since 2008.
The State government had constructed the KTC bus stand at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore in 2006. The project was completed in 2008 and was even inaugurated on August 14, 2008.
Even though the old bus stand and the new KTC bus stand are barely 200 metres from each other, but operators are reluctant to shift to the new KTC bus stand.
Asked why bus operators were unwilling to use the new Shiroda KTC bus stand, Umesh Kalangutkar of Shiroda stated that passengers still prefer the old bus stand as the market is located in close proximity.
“Most passengers prefer to stand near the market to board the buses, as they find it easier to remain in the market area rather than proceeding 200 metres away to go to the new bus stand,” said Kalangutkar.
Concerned that they will get no passengers at the new bus stand, the bus operators are reluctant to shift to the Shiroda KTC bus stand.
Kalangutkar has suggested that the problem could be solved and KTC bus stand be made operational if the bypass is constructed from Sacre-Shiroda to the KTC bus stand.
“Thereafter, the old bus stand in the market area can be used as a bus stop,” said Kalangutkar.
“After picking passengers at the market bus stop, the buses can use the bypass to proceed out of the village. The bypass will also help reduce the burden of other traffic from Savordem, Ponda and Margao, which passes through Shiroda.”
When contacted, Shiroda Sarpanch Sandesh Prabudesai said the panchayat has demanded that the KTC bus stand be put to full use.
“If it is done, it will benefit to all vehicles, including buses, to ensure smooth traffic flow in the village,” said Prabudesai.
“There is a need for parking spaces and widening of roads in the village.”
Agreeing with the need for a bypass, Prabudesai said the panchayat has also proposed a bypass road from the new KTC bus stand, to reduce traffic congestion in village.
“The panchayat will make every effort to solve the problem of traffic congestion in the interest of residents of Shiroda,” assured the sarpanch.
It may be recalled that a similar situation had occurred in Ponda town, when the KTC bus stand had remained idle for a number of years as private buses preferred to operate from the old bus stand.
But as traffic increased and congestions became frequent, authorities compelled bus operators to use the new Ponda bus stand and the old bus stand was converted into a bus stop for the convenience of passengers.
