TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Over 550 vehicles and drivers who would be recruited to ferry VVIPs, VIPs, participants and spectators for the forthcoming Lusofonia Games 2013, will be screened for security purposes by the Transport Functional Area Head (TFA) before deploying them.
Directorate of Transport, which has been appointed as TFA for the Games, has floated tenders for 550 A/C vehicles that include 450 cars (small and large), 80 buses of 45 seater capacity and another 30 buses with 14 to 35 seating capacity. Vehicle providers have also been asked to supply drivers whose character certificates have to be furnished.
Director of Transport Arun Desai said that TFA has been appointed for organizing transport during the Lusofonia Games, from October 27 to November 12. He said that based on the requirement of the Games, a tender for 550 vehicles has been floated.
“The vehicles would be hired along with the drivers. Before deploying the vehicles for the service, a special screening for safety would be conducted. We will also seek security clearance of the driver from the particular agency,” Desai said adding ‘no compromise would be done regarding security’.
Desai said that the department would maintain details of the driver. After screening, the vehicles would be allotted special security passes.
All 550 vehicles would be divided into three categories- T1, T2 and T3. T1 vehicles would be allotted to the Games officials on permanent basis, while T2 would be provided on demand. T3 category vehicles would include buses which would ferry players.
Desai said that around 100 KTC buses would be also deployed for transportation of spectators. A special transport hub and transport control room would be set up at Bambolim. The department has made a strong parking facility for the Games both in North as well as South Goa.
The last date for submitting applications for the tender is August 26, and for opening of tender would be September 19.
