CANACONA: With most of the towns in the State having a shuttle bus service, Canaconkars have been insisting that they too be provided with this facility from the commercial town of Chaudi to Margao. They have argued that direct transport is the need of the hour.
Hundreds of locals, who commute daily from Canacona to the nearest town of Margao and vice versa by bus, face hardships regularly due to the absence of a shuttle service. They believe that once this service begins, it will reduce existing problems of overcrowding, bus reaching late and related issues.
There are many who start their journey to Margao early morning but are unable to reach their destination on time as the buses are not punctual and do not leave at the scheduled time. Then, there is the issue of the buses halting at every stop on the route, which not only causes further delays but also leads to packed buses, which makes it an uncomfortable journey.
“Hardships are faced especially by those women who travel early morning as the KTC buses that are plying from Karwar arrive at Canacona bus stand, full of passengers. These women from Canacona have to travel every day standing in these crowded buses in order to reach their workplace on time. Even the seats reserved for women are mostly occupied by men” a local resident lamented.
It may be recalled that Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) last year, made an attempt to start a similar service but a few of the private bus owners objected and the service was soon ceased.
Apart from the demand for the vital shuttle service on social media, members settled for an idea of drafting a petition to be signed by maximum Canaconkars and to submit it to authorities including Canacona MLA and Deputy Speaker Isidore Fernandes.
When asked to comment about this issue, Fernandes said that anything which is feasible and beneficial to Canaconkars such as the shuttle service demand, will always will get his support.
