MARGAO, MARCH1
Planning a trip to the Pilgrimage centre of Shirdi or the City of gardens in Bangalore by the KTC buses. Hold on. You need not visit the ticket counters at the depots any more, but can book the bus tickets well from your home.
For, the Kadamba Transport Corporation went hi-tech on Tuesday, with Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat launching the e-ticketing project, the Corporation’s website, besides luxury inter-state buses at Margao.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated spanky Volvo buses on the Goa-Shirdi route, besides a Mercedes Benz on the Goa-Mumbai sector. Besides, brand new buses were inaugurated on the Margao-Panjim route to cater to the growing requirements of passengers.
“The introduction of luxury buses will benefit the public and help the KTC compete in this modern age with modern vehicles”, the Chief Minister said, while offering his government’s full support to the Corporation to not only tide over the financial problems, but to replace the ageing buses.
Saying that attempts are made to make the KTC stand on its own legs, the Chief Minister appealed to the workers and staff to think that these buses and the corporation belongs to them.
KTC Chairman Deepak Dhavlikar said the Corporation is set on the course to replace the ageing buses and introduce luxury buses on inter-state routes. Besides, he said air conditioned buses will be deployed on the shuttle service between Margao and Panjim.
“We have set up two counters at the Margao bus stand. An ATM will take shape at the bus stand shortly”, he added.
Expressing his gratitude to the Chief Minister for extending full support to the Corporation, Dhavlikar said the KTC could deploy 40 buses last years and plans are afoot to bring in 50 additional buses in the coming financial year.
“Within three months, passengers will feel the difference on various routes, including inter-state routes”, he said, adding that the Corporation has asked the government’s nod to hike the fare of the shuttle service by one rupee.
On the nuisance posed by the garbage at the KTC bus stands, the KTC chairman said that the Margao Municipality has been entrusted with the responsibility to lift garbage generated at the bus stand. “An arrangement is being worked out with the Margao Municipal Council to solve the garbage menace”, he added.
