MARGAO, NOV 11
agitated bus operators operating on the short distance routes from Margao to Davorlim and Housing Board have threatened to resort to strike.
Chairman of the Road Transport Authority (RTA) Johnson Fernandes has called a meeting on November 15 to review the new traffic arrangements implemented in the city since Wednesday.
Leader of the All Goa Bus Owner, Sudip Tamankar told newsmen after the meeting with the RTA Chairman that the bus operators on the short distance routes have withdrawn their threat to go on strike till November 15. “The bus operators have decided to wait till November 15 for the meeting to take a decision. We will take future course of action if our demand for reverting to the old system is not met on that day”, he warned.
The RTA Chairman Johnson Fernandes has said that the decision to effect changes to the traffic plan was not independent decision taken by him, but was arrived at after conducting a detailed study.
“I don’t see any reason behind the hue and cry raised by the bus operators”. Johnson said, adding that he would look into the problems faced by the bus operators relating to space at the KTC bus stand, besides bus timings.
Replying to a question, he said the agencies would wait for the feedback from the traveling public and would take the views of the bus operators at the review meeting scheduled on November 15.
ON the other hand, Tamankar said a delegation of the All Goa Bus owners called on the Transport Director Arun Desai, who directed them to the RTA Chairman, Margao to redressed their grievances.
He said the bus operators on the short distance routes on Thursday noon had resolved to go on strike from Friday, but the decision has been withdrawn in view of the meeting convened by the RTA Chairman on November 15. “The bus operators will take appropriate decision and decide on the future course of action on November 15 after the meeting”, he added.
Tamankar warned that the bus operators would not hesitate to take appropriate action at the state level.
“The RTA Chairman had to find a solution to the problem and not threaten the operators with fines and challans”, he added.
