Team Herald
ASSAGAO: In a novel protest, bus driver Shyam Govekar sat on the massive water-filled pothole in front of the Assagao Panchayat demanding immediate repair of the Assagao-Mapusa road.
Govekar also received support from the private bus drivers, who threatened to sit on a hunger strike if the government failed to repair the road within eight days.
The entire four-km road from Assagao Junction to Datta Mandir has developed huge potholes. On one side of the road, the work for laying power lines is currently underway while on the other side, trenches are dug for water pipelines.
The commuters have complained that the pothole-ridden road has turned into a death trap and travelling along the route has caused damage to their vehicles.
The bus drivers complained that bus panels and gears have broken, tyres have burst and due to this, bus drivers are in debt.
The bus drivers further said that despite repeated complaints to the local authorities, no concrete measures have been taken to repair the road.
They said the buses move like boats while commuting on this bad route and feared that serious accidents are likely to occur. If an accident occurs, people assault the drivers directly for no fault of theirs and without any second thought.
They asked “What should we do in such a situation? We pay road tax to the government. And if we miss the deadline for paying road tax by a day, we have to pay a fine. The Kadamba Transport Corporation has now introduced electric buses which have air suspension, which is effective.”
The bus drivers say, “If we are getting such bad roads in return for the tax we pay, which is hampering our business, then we have no other option, but to fast until death.”
Shyam, who is from Assagao said, “The government has brought us to the streets today. What should we do? You tell us. For the last eight months we have been demanding the repair of roads. Is this sab ka saath sab ka vikas? We are not angry with anyone. Mahatma Gandhi has chosen the path of agitation. I am 64 years old, if the government does not repair this road, I am going to sit on a hunger strike.”