Launched with much fanfare, the 'Mhaji Bus Scheme' appears to have failed in its tracks. Since June 15, when it was launched, only 70 buses have registered for the scheme, all from South Goa, and there is not a single bus from North Goa. Interestingly, the few who have joined are those who are threatened by the KTC service plying on the Canacona-Margao, Margao-Karwar and Margao-Curchorem routes.
The Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited, with an eye on last-mile connectivity, had launched the Mhaji Bus Scheme, seen as a win-win situation for private operators unable to ply buses on nationalised routes and the KTC. The KTC boasts of carrying almost 85,000 passengers daily. Also, this scheme was believed to give a boost to public transportation, which is currently in shambles. At the launch in June, the government going gaga had expressed optimism about the scheme's success, with PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral assuring to resolve all teething problems.
Four months later, the government appears to have given up on its pilot project. Mere 70 buses joining the bandwagon speaks of a complete failure because Goa has 1,460 private buses, of which around 800-plus are in North Goa. What has gone wrong?
For any scheme to work, there has to be unanimity among those involved. In the case of the Mhaji Bus Scheme, there had to be a consensus and acceptance from the private bus operators, without whom the entire scheme would be meaningless. The reluctance of the private operators is a clear indicator here.
If we may recall, the scheme was announced as a pilot project after cabinet approval, leaving a huge question mark over its success. Private operators claimed there was no project report discussed with them, and that no protocols were followed before implementation. More importantly, previous issues of bus owners were not resolved. Ironically, private operators claimed to have not been paid for fuel subsidies and insurance benefits due to them since 2018. Private buses were offered a fuel subsidy of Rs 3 per km besides an insurance benefit. Although a Rs 18 crore budgetary provision has been shown for fuel subsidy and a Rs 2 crore provision for an insurance benefit scheme, the State government has not been able to fulfil these assurances due to what it claimed is a "tight fiscal position".
On paper, the Mhaji Bus Scheme was seen as resurrecting the fortunes of private bus owners who have been crippled at the time of the Covid crisis forcing buses off the road. There are 700 private buses which are non-operational as of now. The dilemma for them is to invest money on repairs, pay insurance and other fees and get their vehicles fit for the road.
The much-propagated scheme cannot achieve its objective without the wholesale participation of private players, and that is the bottom line. It is bizarre that a decision is imposed on them without explaining the nuances and understanding their problems. Once again, traditional businesses are being treated with disdain and taken for granted.
The government must clear the pending dues of private bus owners, which run into crores of rupees, and then talk business with them. At this point, injustice is being done to some who are struggling to eke out a living.
