the goan I network
CANACONA
KTC authorities and the taluka administration were left red-faced on Friday when some activists went to the Canacona KTC bus stand in Chaudi and covered broken portions of its roof with coconut palm leaves to highlight the government’s failure to repair it.
The Canacona police later went to the site and stopped the activity.
Speaking to reporters, activists said they had been reminding authorities for two years that several roof sheets had blown away and rainwater had been gushing inside the bus stand, causing hardships not only to commuters and customers, but also to shopkeepers.
The rainwater had poses a threat to government records maintained at the Assistant Director of Transport (ADT-RTO).
“People have even slipped and fallen when rainwater floods the KTC bus stand. The KTC collects rent form the many shops, but does nothing to address the hardships faced by commuters, customers and shopkeepers,” said Sandesh Telekar.
Another activist, Janardhan Bhandari, said the monsoon was around the corner and yet the State government had been indifferent to public safety.
“The shopkeepers were worried about the situation and requested us to do something before the monsoons. Since authorities had done nothing in two years despite several reminders, we decided on this novel idea to cover the broken parts of the roof with dried coconut palm leaves,” said Bhandari.
After one portion of the broken roof was covered with coconut palm leaves, a Canacona police team rushed to the site and stopped further work. The police also removed the temporary covering and instructed the activists to stop any further activity.
A KTC official at the complex said they were unaware when the broken portions of the roof would be repaired.
“We only know a tender has been floated but we are unsure when the work will be executed,” said the KTC official.
Meanwhile, Janardhan Bhandari, Ramu Naik, Sandesh Telekar and 10 others were later arrested by Canacona police on charges of defying Section 144 and illegally assembling at the KTC bus stand. All the 13 persons were then released on bail.
