PONDA: The commuters travelling on the busy and crowded Madkai- Cortalim ferry route had suggested to the government to start shorter distance ferry service from Madkai to Agasaim, instead of the existing Madkai-Cortalim route, which they say is a longer and time consuming route.
At present, any breakdown of ferry service on the Madkai-Cortalim route causes hardships to hundreds of commuters, especially employees travelling to the industrial estates from Ponda to Mormugao Taluka and vice-versa. This is the longest (around 3 km) ferry route in Goa and a risky one at that, since often the ferries drift during strong winds.
When asked, Marcaim Sarpanch Shailendra Panajikar urge govt to explore the shorter distance route by constructing a ramp on the other side at Agasaim, exactly opposite side of Madkai ferry point. Cortalim ferry point is at a long distance, while Agasaim will be convenient
for commuters.
Madkai Nagrik Kruti Samiti president Premanand Gaude said due to the increasing rush of commuters there is a need of bridge on this route. Commuters said presently, there are two ferry boats which are operating on this route, but incase of breakdown of one ferryboat, the passengers wait for nearly 30 minutes for the second ferry and it takes another half-an-hour to reach Cortalim. Thus it often that passengers waste one hour to cover the route.
Sometimes ferries often encounter breakdowns midway and at other times ferries have drifted off-course, creating panic among passengers.
