PANJIM: Abandoned vehicles continue to be an eyesore at the KTC Bus Terminus, Panjim as the authorities have turned a blind eye on the matter.
Two-wheelers, autorickshaws and cars which are unattended in and around the bus stand are causing nuisance and occupying parking space.
These vehicles are also posing a security threat as some of them are without registration number plates. These vehicles also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which causes vector-borne diseases.
Goa Civic Action and Consumer Network (GOACAN) Co-ordinator Roland Martins, has written to the Managing Director of Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) raising concerns over the issue of abandoned vehicles at the Panjim bus stand.
“Why KTCL has not put in place a system whereby pay parking contractor at the bus stand keeps a register to note movement of all two-wheelers every day? Besides blocking valuable parking space, how is one to know if these vehicles are connected to missing persons or any criminal activity?” he asked.
Martins said that there is a need for weekly check to note which vehicles have been left untouched at the same spot and added that the registration plates and photos of the same must be submitted to the Panjim police station, Panjim Traffic Cell, and to the office of District Collector, North for necessary action.
Local Councillor Vithal Chopdekar said that he will take up the issue regarding abandoned vehicles in his ward with Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor, Rohit Monserrate.
“There are some tourists who hire two-wheelers from the rent-a-bike operators and leave them at the bus stand before returning to their State. I will speak to the Mayor and request him to take necessary steps so that abandoned vehicles are removed from public places,” Chopdekar said.
When contacted, CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate said, “We can’t lift the abandoned vehicles from the public places on our own. There is a procedure which needs to be followed. I will speak to the concerned authorities including the police and do the needful.”
MLA and KTCL chairman Ulhas Tuenkar said that he will ask the Panjim bus stand depot manager to look into the matter.
“I will ask the depot manager to take necessary action and get the abandoned vehicles removed from the bus stand at the earliest,” he said.
