MAPUSA: The new Mapusa bus stand is still in pipeline.
And it looks as if Mhapshekars will have to wait for a few more years for their new Mapusa bus stand project to take shape and become a reality. With the increase in traffic congestion and non-availability of parking space, the new Mapusa stand is need of an hour for Mhapshekars.
Incidentally, land for the project has been acquired in 2015 but even after almost two and half years, people can only see is an open space and not the bus stand complex.
The government has acquired 20,000 sq mtrs of land for a new bus terminus at Mapusa close to the existing Mapusa bus stand in year 2015 and further, work of this project was divided into three phases.
The first phase included acquisition of land, land filling and construction of retaining wall and same got completed in the same year of and acquisition. The second phase includes a 25 meters wide road that would be constructed to connect the bus stand to National Highway 17 at Bastora junction near the tar bridge and the third phase includes construction of a new bus stand complex converting the present KTC bus stand into a parking lot for around 6000 cars.
However, work of these two phases is yet to begin. If the projects turns into a reality and if things go according to the plan, the total parking capacity of the new bus stand will be 1,050 two-wheelers and 850 four wheelers with 58 bus bays and 36 idle bays.
The new complex will also house the Bardez Transport office, other government offices and a shopping complex. Facilities such as toilet and canteen will be also provided according to public requirement.
According to the plan, the project is designed by keeping in mind the public safety wherein commuters can reach their respective platforms without any risk. This new complex will be also connected to rickshaw and pilot stand. It will also have a pedestrian friendly footpath connecting the bus stand to yard and market.
GSIDC completed the work of land filling in same year when the land was acquired but after that the project remained in muck as the project file remained on hold since the transport department had to pay infrastructure tax to PDA to start with the work.
With the present increasing traffic congestion and limited parking space, the new Mapusa bus stand is need of the hour for Mhapshekars. The land which is acquired for the bus stand is currently being used as parking space for private vehicles and interstate buses and it has termed into a mini stand for them. With no proper illumination, this place has turned into a spot for illegal activities and thefts and cases of chain-snatching have been reported. Besides, police also found the dead body of a Assam native on this land.
This open space has also turned into a new area to dump construction debris as well as garbage. Abandoned cattle too have made this place their home. The local Mapusa taxi association have also claimed that they are losing customers since the interstate buses have started to pick and drop passenger from the new parking area. Outside taxis drop the passengers and while returning take new passengers. The local taxi owners are forced to for passengers at the prepaid taxi counter since they are registered under the same and have taxi stand at the prepaid counter.
Since tourists are new, they first of all don’t know where the taxi stands is. Secondly, the tourists carry luggage due to which the tourists hire taxis there n there and do not bother to come at the taxi stand to book taxi. With no proper planning, the area turns chaotic after 6 pm, say taxi owners.
A local Alex Pereira said parking is a major problem in Mapusa. There is no place in Mapusa where a person can find vacant for parking. Every corner and point in Mapusa is found occupied with haphazard parking. The vehicles are increasing but the space is limited.
The new bus stand hopefully will end many problems.
