Team Herald
PANJIM: All bus stands across the State will be converted into bus ports under a centrally funded scheme, Transport Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar said, speaking at the 37th anniversary celebrations of Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTC) in Panjim.
Dhavalikar said that in the next four to five years, bus stands in Goa will meet high standards with state of the art facilities on par with the facilities at airports. He said that a consultant will be appointed to submit a report of the existing bus stands across the State.
“The Goa government is presently exploring the possibility on how the existing bus stands could be converted into bus ports. The consultant for the project will be either appointed by the Central Government or the State Government who will prepare a detailed project report (DPR). Once the DPR is approved the Centre will provide us with the gap viable fund if we are unable to construct it,” the Minister said.
He also said that the report of the consultant on the installation of CCTV cameras across the State will be ready in the next 12 days. “All rural roads, major district roads, district roads, state highways and national highways will be covered under CCTV,” he said.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, speaking at the function, said that KTC has to incorporate changes and implement innovative ideas if it has to increase its revenue.
“A lot can be done to bring about a change in Kadamba transport but all this requires proper planning from the Corporation. Finance is not a problem and the government is willing to help it financially,” Parrikar said. He also said that KTC can implement the Swachh Bharat drive by placing dustbins in their buses.
Dhavalikar said that KTC has the capacity to compete with private bus operators, but for that it needs to focus on increasing its revenue.
