PONDA: GOACAN (Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network) has expressed concern over lack of basic facilities including toilets, for passengers atathe KTC bus stand in Ponda.
It said that lack of toilet facilities poses significant risk to women passengers, who areaforced to relieve themselves in open spaces such as bushes and trees.
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GOACAN coordinator Roland Martins, who visited the KTC bus stand at Ponda, was shocked to witness the lack of basic facilities, particularly the abasence of a functional a for women.
He said a the existing toilet was shut down a few months ago, and construction of a new toilet complex began without any provision for a mobile toilet or bio toilet.
Martins suggested that the KTC could obtain these facilities from the Tourism Department.
He observed several advertisement boards at the bus bay, but expressed no objection if KTC generates revenue through these means. However, he claimed that there was nothing for the passengers.
He emphasised that there is lack of essential amenities for passengers such as drinking water facilities, proper signages, etc and urged the a to prioritise installation of bio toilet facilities for the safety of waomen passengers.
He asserted that the lack a basic facilities at the KTC bus stand constitutes a deficiency of service under Consumer Protection Act 2019.
Martins said GOACAN has decided to write to the District Administration keeping in mind that the schools resume classes in the first week of June. The Ponda KTC Bus Stand does not have basic facilities such as signage for bus bays informing passengers about the destination/departures/arrivals. The bus stand also has no timing board, toilet facilities, fire safety and if consumers want to laodge complaints athere is no complaint book.
It may be recalled that the existing toilet facility was closed a few months ago by the contractor, without making alternative arrangements.
