PORVORIM: Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho assured Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas on Thursday that KTC would service more routes once the new fleet of buses joins the State-run Corporation.
In response to a calling attention notice tabled by Viegas, Godinho stated that there is also a demand for a KTCL bus from Cutbona to Margao in Velim constituency. The survey for this route has been conducted, and KTCL will introduce the bus once the new buses join the fleet. The government has procured 71 electric buses, and an additional 127, including 28 electric buses, are expected. The purchase of new BSVI 50 diesel buses is currently in the tender process. Some older buses, more than 15 years old, have been taken off the road due to the scrapping policy.
Earlier, Viegas expressed the anxiety among the people of Benaulim constituency due to the unavailability of Kadamba buses from Mobor to Margao, causing inconvenience. He also mentioned the growing demand for new routes, especially from students going to Rosary College, Navelim, and Mount Mary’s HSS, Chinchinim. The new routes required include one Kadamba bus from Mobor via Varca to Navelim and another from Mobor via Varca to Chinchinim, as well as a Kadamba bus from Colva via Benaulim to Navelim College and then to Chinchinim College.
The Minister responded that currently, 13 private buses are operating on the mentioned routes, out of which only five buses are plying. KTCL does not operate buses on these routes.
