THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
Accusing the KTC of abruptly stopping the afternoon service of the Mhaji Bus to Mudkud-Agonda since the last eight days, angry residents have demanded the immediate resumption of the bus service.
According to residents of Mudkud (Ward 1) of Agonda, the Mhaji Bus offered service in the morning, afternoon and evening for a number of years.
However, since the last eight days, the Mhaji bus has suddenly stopped its afternoon trip to their area, inconveniencing students and public at large.
Due to unavailability of the bus service, students currently have to walk a long distance from the bus stop on the MDR49 road, to reach late at their homes. This has left them with no chance to attend any additional classes, practices or sessions in other schools.
“Students and other residents using this bus service have expressed displeasure over the sudden suspension of the Mudkud-Agonda passenger bus service, which has been running for many years,” said former Agonda sarpanch Pramod Phaldessai.
Incidentally, Mudkud ward of Agonda is situated on one end of the village, cut off by the River Saleri between the neighbouring village of Khola.
Locals have now demanded the immediate resumption of the suspended bus service.
“If the government doesn’t provide bus facilities for students, then who will,” asked Phaldessai.
“When I sought to know the reasons for the sudden discontinuation in bus service, the bus driver informed me that they had been asked by KTC to stop the afternoon service as it is uneconomical.”
"We don’t understand why KTC interferes in routes, as the routes are allotted by the RTO and not by KTCL which also operates private buses as Mhaji Bus Service,” said Phaldesai, who has also been recently elected president of the local temple committee.
