PANJIM: Bustling with activity otherwise, as conductors call out the destination of their buses and people scamper to catch the bus, the Panjim bus stand on Tuesday, a day after the massive fire broke out, wore a gloomy look.
A major fire on Monday at the KTC bus stand has left all establishments and offices without electricity. Most of the shops and offices in the complex remained shut and commuters too preferred to board buses from outside the complex and stay away from the bus stand.
While the operation of buses was normal and remained unaffected, it was the businesses and government offices which felt the impact most.
Tenants of shops at the complex appeared dejected as they contemplated the huge losses they would have to bear in the coming days, as electricity supply has been discontinued to the establishments until repairs are carried out.
“Today majority of the shops were closed down as they have received instructions from the authorities not to open until the cause of the short circuit is found. Only a few establishments are open and they are taking using generators installed last night. Due to this they will have to bear huge losses,” a shop owner told Herald.
When Team Herald visited the KTC complex, most of the shops were closed while some used generators to light up the shops and carry on the business.
Commuters Herald spoke to said buses were plying on time, but what bothered them was the businesses being shut. “Often we pick water, snacks or soft drinks for our journey but all that was not available as the shops were closed,” Nalini Haldankar, a commuter, said.
Most of the shop owners who have now temporarily closed their businesses say they have been running the shops for years and that their entire families are dependent on these earnings and till the shops re-open, their daily earning will get affected.
