Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday disposed of a writ petition filed by five private bus operators after the Department of Transport assured the court that it will not discontinue 82 private buses operating in and around Panjim and surrounding areas even after launching of Electric Vehicle (EV) buses.
During the last hearing, the government had submitted before the Court that it will not discontinue 82 private buses plying in and around the city of Panjim and surrounding areas.
The private bus operators Sudip Tamankar, Gurudas Mayekar, Shanur Ali Makandar, Jose Manuel Rodrigues and Baburao Shirodkar, had challenged the notification issued by the State government on March 14, 2024, stopping plying of 67 private mini buses including 20 enroute buses, i.e. which were coming up to the Panjim market following the decision to launch electric buses in the capital city.
The petitioners had stated that they were forced to approach the High Court since the government decision was in violation of Article 19 and 21 of Constitution and depriving the livelihood of private bus operators. The Department of Transport issued the final notification in March this year despite private bus operators submitting five suggestions and 15 individual objections to the draft notification issued on December 28, 2023.
Currently, 21 e-buses are operated by the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) on four routes while, additional 27 e-buses would be started in all seven key routes at a later stage.
Earlier private bus operators were given options either to join ‘Mhaji Bus’ scheme or to take alternate routes. As many as 17 private buses are plying on Panjim to Bambolim via Santa Cruz and back, 17 buses from Goa University to Panjim via Bambolim, Taleigao, Goa University, Dona Paula, Miramar and back, 13 buses on Panjim to Miramar and back, 14 buses on Panjim to Taleigao Aradi Band via Caranzalem route. Besides this, more than 20 enroute buses are coming up to the Panjim market (city service).