Stop the unauthorised halting of buses

I rresponsible halting of private buses at different undesignated locations seems to have become a common phenomenon and buses apply brakes and stop to pick up customers wherever they wish.

Buses proceeding from Panjim to Ponda often halt at Old Goa and also near Kundaim gate to pick up passengers. So also, buses proceeding from Ponda towards Madkaim (via old bus-stand) often halt at Tisk and also near two-pillars at Queula. Similarly, buses plying from Ponda towards Margao, Vasco and Sanvordem halt at Tisk for picking up more commuters are unauthorised stops. 

Unfortunately, the Road Transport Office (RTO) does not seem to conduct necessary checks in this regard. Nevertheless, surprise checks are necessary at different locations so as to bring such cases under firm control. 

Since commuters in the buses get inconvenienced and get delayed in reaching their respective destinations, let us hope that the authority would not spare, but initiate prompt favourable action against bus operators indulging in halting of buses anywhere. Many buses halt at Tisk, Ponda for ten to fifteen minutes, more so during afternoon time. Let us hope that prompt favourable action would follow in public interest.

Another issue I want to bring to the notice of the authorities is the cleanliness along the jetties. Although ‘Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan’ has been advocated by the Centre almost three years ago, scenes of scattered garbage have become a regular feature in different parts of Goa. 

In Ponda too, we come across such cases at different spots. In the absence of dust-bins at strategic locations, people are accustomed of dumping garbage along the roadside as also inside the drains and nullahs. Situation in this regard is no different in villages. Many commuters travel via Adpai and Durbhat jetties for proceeding to work at Verna, Vasco and the neighbouring areas.

 However, whenever they pass through these two jetties, they witness ugly sights. Plastic bags and other waste material and debris are dumped along the roadside, which at times renders unbearable stench.  

This situation is prevailing for some time and the local village panchayat Durbhat has not initiated any action to assure cleanliness along these two major jetties. It is absolutely necessary that travellers are assured hygienic conditions on a permanent basis. In public interest it is need of the hour for this VP to clear the scattered garbage at above jetties on regular basis so that cleanliness is assured to one and all. 

I hope the Directorate of Panchayats would also take a serious note of this matter and issue necessary instruction to this VP for prompt clearance of garbage existing at these locations.