PANAJI
CM Pramod Sawant on Saturday advocated greater use of public transport by commuters, which he said will reduce traffic congestion and also help bring down the high number of accidents in the State.
“People need to use the public transport system more. This will help reduce pollution by reducing the number of two-wheelers and four-wheelers on the road. Also, this can reduce the number of road accidents,” Sawant said at the event held to commemorate the anniversary of the State-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited.
While underscoring the importance of people commuting by public transport, the Chief Minister said his government is also considering introducing e-buses throughout the State, even as he claimed that the e-bus service operated by KTCL in Panaji under the Smart City initiative was getting an encouraging response.
He was speaking at a programme organised on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the Kadamba Corporation on Saturday. Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar, Narayan Naik, Pundlik Khorjuvekar, Kritesh Gawkar, Ujwala Naik, and others were present on this occasion.
“Currently, 48 e-buses are operating in Panaji. This has provided convenience to passengers. We are trying to introduce e-buses across the State to reduce carbon emissions,” Sawant said, adding that the KTCL chairman, Ulhas Tuenkar, and other officials were working on the plan to introduce e-buses across the State.
Meanwhile, Tuenkar said the KTCL could soon face a massive shortage of buses since the Corporation will be forced to scrap nearly 100 following the 15-year rule for condemning vehicles.
“This may affect service on several routes. The government should give us new buses. Currently, orders have been given out for 150 e-buses, of which 87 are already in our possession,” Tuenkar said, adding that the balance of 63 e-buses will be delivered by the end of December.
The KTCL, however, will continue to face shortages of about 100 buses, he added.
Meanwhile, Sawant, who was addressing the KTCL workers in Panaji, told them that the 7th Pay Commission recommendations have already been cleared for KTCL employees.
Also, the 7th Pay Commission arrears will be paid in phases soon, he added.
