PONDA: After months of being subjected to the unsafe conditions at poorly-illuminated, shelter-less KTC bus stand at Ponda, commuters and people running businesses here can finally find their way around the terminus. Following Herald’s report highlighting the plight of passengers , especially women and children, at the ill-equipped bus stand last week, the authorities snapped into action and repaired some of the non-functional focus lights atop the bus stand’s shed. The bus bays and the rest of the premises were in darkness for at least six months, after power supply to the focus lights was disconnected when the authorities launched a Rs one crore project to renovate the bus stand shelter that was declared unsafe for use. The businessmen and shopkeepers operating at the terminus also expressed happiness over the illumination of the bus stand. They said that the bus stand shed is spread over a huge area and suggested that the authorities should repair a few more focus lights, to brighten up the entire terminus a bit better. There are still too many dark spots, as the bus stand is surrounded by thick shrubbery and trees, they added.
Meanwhile, locals expressed concern that the buses arriving at the KTC bus stand from Panjim ply on the wrong lane, and could lead to accidents. “The left side of the road leading to the KTC bus stand is full of craters and so, the bus drivers avoid this lane and drift into the wrong lane to enter the terminus. The authorities need to get these potholes filled and get the road hot-mixed, for the safety of all road-users here,” said a shopkeeper in the area.
