FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Around 140 private bus owners have shown their readiness to join the Kadamba Transport Corporation fleet, said MLA Ulhas Tuenkar, Chairman of the Corporation.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of 'Silk India' exhibition, he also said that the bus owners responded after KTC issued a tender in this regard. The Chairman has clarified that these private buses will be made available to schools, by fixing a rate per kilometre, for the service. “Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has promised to provide funds from the Central Government as many Kadamba buses are in pathetic condition. Apart from this, around 140 bus owners have responded to the tender issued by KTC, for the inclusion of private buses in the corporation,” he said.
He explained that many KTC buses were purchased seven to eight years ago. Those buses have also travelled many kilometres according to their capacity. No new buses were purchased by the Kadamba Corporation during this period. “Even though the capacity of the old buses has been exhausted, they are being operated after carrying out the necessary maintenance,” said Tuenkar, who hopes that the influx of electric buses would solve several problems. Apart from this, more than 100 schools require buses.
“Therefore, KTC had requested buses from private owners. The matter of fixing a per kilometre rate to run their buses will be discussed,” he added.
He also said a new bus stand will be constructed on PPP basis, in the place of the old bus stand at Margao.
“The project is worth around Rs 200 crore and will be completed in phases. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has also discussed this project. Efforts are being made to build a fully-equipped bus stand in Margao,” said Tuenkar.
