TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: It was not about exclusivity, but safety and security. That’s what women felt on Tuesday when Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar flagged off a ladies special bus at a simple function at the Kadamba bus terminus, here.
Similar flag-offs were held at Mapusa, Vasco and Ponda to launch these special services. The buses will ply between Panjim-Ponda, Margao-Vasco and Panjim-Mapusa and will depart at 8.30 am from these destinations and make the return trip at 5.45 pm.
While Chief Minister flagged off the bus at Panjim along with Vasco MLA and Chairman of the Kadamba Transport Corporation Carlos Almeida, at Mapusa, the service was flagged off by Deputy Chief Minister Francisco Souza.
Transport Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, Mormugao MLA Milind Naik and MLA Deepak Dhavalikar along with Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar flagged off the special service from Margao, Vasco and Ponda, respectively.
The need for the service was felt strongly after the Delhi gang rape case and Vasco rape incident and the subsequent concerns raised by women at different fora.
VASCO: The ladies shuttle bus between Vasco and Panjim was filled even before local MLA and Power Minister Milind Naik could flag it off.
As soon as Naik cut the ribbon to launch the special bus, the women passengers quickly boarded the bus and occupied all the seats, well before Naik could flag off the service and complete the inaugural ceremony.
Incidentally, some women passengers were left perplexed when a transvestite also boarded the bus.
MAPUSA: Speaking during the flagging-off ceremony in Mapusa,
Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza said the State government would look into the possibility of introducing additional buses on other routes if there was demand.
A woman passenger, Bharati Pawasker, expressed happiness over the introduction of the service. “This will enable lady commuters to travel free of any tension each day,” she remarked.
PONDA: On the Ponda shuttle bus there were about 35 lady passengers on the inaugural trip.
“These special buses have been introduced in view of enhancing the safety of women. At first, there will only be a single trip, but the buses can be increased depending on the response to this service. We hope that women will make the best use of this service,” said MLA Deepak Dhavlikar.
MARGAO: Transport Minister Sudin Dhavlikar said the government would increase the number of special buses for women and adjust the timings based on data compiled by the Transport Department on the response to the service.
Dhavalikar was flanked by Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai during the inaugural.
On a question over the timings, Dhavalikar said, “We will reschedule the timings based on the response and demand of women commuters.”
