Govt approves ultra modern transport hub at Margao
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JAN 12
There’s finally good news in store for commuters travelling from the Margao bus stand.
The government has approved construction of an ultra modern transport hub with modern facilities for inter-state Transport at Margao and has invited Expression of Interest from architectural firms specialized in public utility for participating in the pre-qualification for the work of constructing the transport hub.
Officials of the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation, which has invited the Expression of Interest from architectural firms, informed that the modern transport hub will come on the sprawling land admeasuring 66,000 sq meters.
If a senior GSIDC official is to be believed, the government has okayed construction of the modern bus terminus departmentally without inviting private players under the controversial PPP model.
Sources informed that the entire project, which may consume around 3-4 years for its execution, will be implemented with budgetary provision of Rs 15 crore each for the next three financial years.
“The Margao bus stand will no longer remain a bus stand. It will be a totally different concept with ultra modern facilities for inter-state transport”, informed the official.
Officials further informed that the transport hub has a provision for a commercial block which will help generation “operational” revenue for the KTC Corporation. “The commercial block has been designed so that it turns out revenue generating for the cash hit KTC”, the official added.
Commuters, besides NGOs, including the Civic and consumer forums from across Salcete had been demanding early construction of a modern bus stand at the existing KTC stand, which has functioning from a temporary shed since the last two decades and half.
IN fact, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had received flak from all quarters for the absence of a modern bus stand for Margao when smaller towns such as Cuncolim and Canacona had been enjoying modern facilities for long now.
