BELGAUM: The North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) officials, who are upbeat after the trial run of the first ever ‘Goa Darshan’ bus, said the corporation plans to commence additional bus services to Goa, if required.
NWKRTC commenced its one-day 39 seater ‘Rajhansa’ luxury bus trip to Goa with a trial run. Accordingly, the Goa Darshan bus left for Goa on Sunday at 7 am. After visiting places like Old Goa, Dona Paula, Mangueshi, Calangute beach and a few more destinations en route in North Goa, the bus reached Belgaum late night. The bus service will be available every Sunday.
Depot manager K K Lamani, who was speaking to Herald after the maiden trip of the bus, said they received an overwhelming response from the tourists.
“The corporation is overwhelmed with the response. The bus service will be regularized from November 9 after completion of formalities with RTO authorities in Goa. We are expecting a positive response from Goan authorities. The bus will leave Belgaum every Sunday at 7 am,” stated Lamani.
“While many Goans have made Belgaum their weekend destination, people from Belgaum are excited to visit Goa. Soon after we announced the special bus to Goa last month, enquiries have started pouring in and our trial run on Sunday was overbooked,” Lamani added assuring a fulfilling Goa tour to those availing this service.
The fare for the trip has been fixed at Rs 500, while the senior citizens will have to pay Rs 385. Though the actual places of visit in Goa have not yet been ascertained as the authorities are making a thorough study, people from Belgaum district have welcomed the decision because with the present services, it was extremely difficult for people of Belgaum to do sightseeing in a day’s time.
