PONDA: The road at the interstate KTC Bus Stand and RTO office at Ponda is in a pathetic state and filled with potholes. This awful condition makes it very difficult for the commuters and the bus drivers, to use this stretch.
The bus drivers and commuters said this 30-year-old road needs urgent repairs, given its sorry state.
The locals said the potholes appear every year not only during the monsoons but even if there is slight rain.
“This is because there is no proper drainage system,” said a local, who is a daily commuter on this stretch of the road.
“Since its inauguration it is never properly maintained. Though KTC Bus Stand and RTO office located in KTC Premises falls in Bandora Panchayat it is looked after by Transport Department which also collects sopo for parking of buses and vehicles” another local added.
“The portion of KTC bus stand collapsed few years back, however it is not repaired yet. After construction of flyover and widening of Highway, the access road to KTC and RTO office is also closed without making arrangement for an alternate road,” a local said on condition of anonymity.
“It’s now 13 years I am operating from here but I have never seen any development at this stretch,” said Denu Naik, a motorcyclist pilot.
Since Ponda is in the heart of Goa it should be well maintained. The toilets sewage tanks often overflow. During rain, stray cattle take shelter in KTC premises and cause nuisance with their cow dung. There is also no proper drinking water facility,” Denu added.
Another shop owner said he feels very sorry when he notices college students falling down in the big pothole ridden road at the KTC bus stand. He recalled that Chief Minister had promised to clear all potholes by November 1 and questioned what happened to his promise.
Meanwhile the KTC Officials said that they had informed their higher officials and had written to the PWD Division VIII for repairs on November 11 asking to provide relief to vehicles, passengers on an urgent basis. However, commuters said there is no sign of repairs.
