TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
OLD GOA: With only a few days left for the Lusofonia Games to get underway, around 100 vehicles from neighbouring Maharashtra, including four-wheeler taxis, mini-buses and buses have arrived in the State and parked at the Goa University plateau.
These taxis, mini-buses and buses will be used to transport athletes and officials participating in the Lusofonia Games to various venues for the Games.
However the drivers of these vehicles, who also hail from various parts of Maharashtra, have been given a raw deal and are made to compromise on the living conditions at the Goa University plateau where they are currently put up, which only further dents the credentials of the Games organisers.
Insufficient water for drinking and bathing purposes, no rest room facilities, no bathroom facilities, insufficient quantity of food were some of the complaints received by Herald when it paid a visit to the drivers to know the ground reality.
Some bus drivers complained that they have not been able to have a bath since they arrived three days back, due to insufficient water supply.
Apart from insufficient water for bathing, the drivers also complained about insufficient water for drinking purposes and requested Herald to highlight their plight so that they get enough water for drinking and bathing purpose.
Pointing towards a bore-well, a driver said that if only one bore-well was working, it would solve the problem of water for bathing purpose.
The drivers further complained about lack of resting place for them. “We do not have any other option but to rest wherever shade is available,” a driver replied when asked why they are resting in the open.
When questioned whether they have been allotted rooms or dormitories to sleep during the night time, the drivers pointed to an open hall where they have been asked to put up their makeshift beds.
“Some of us sleep inside the hall while others sleep inside the vehicles and some others sleep in the open,” informed a driver while stating that the chilly conditions during the night time only worsens the matter.
“If the officials could not provide us with rooms or dormitories, they could have at least put up tents,” said another driver while opining that it would have at least shielded them from the cold.
Apart from the above mentioned facilities, some drivers complained that the food that is made available to them is not sufficient. “There are hardly two chapattis with some rice and other items,” complained a driver while stating that his hunger does not die down after consuming the food.
When contacted, Mr Ghate who looks after the transportation of the athletes and officials informed Herald that it is not his duty to look after the facilities for the drivers and asked to inquire with the Director of Transport on the issue.
Meanwhile, some drivers seem to have found the hospitality of Goa hard to resist as a group of them were seen enjoying their drinks with one of them inviting this reporter to have a peg or two.
