OLD GOA
A KTC bus service was flagged off along the Panaji-Mandur route on Monday, fulfilling a long-pending demand of the local commuters.
The bus service was flagged off by St Andre MLA Francisco Silveira at Tinto-Mandur in the presence of Azossim-Mandur Sarpanch Ajit Bacal, Neura Sarpanch Usha Naik, Carambolim Sarpanch Uttam Murgaonkar, panchas, KTC Assistant Traffic Superintendent Ulhas Naik and others.
Speaking at the function, Silveira said the bus service would benefit people of Pilar, Neura, Azossim-Mandur, Carambolim and Old Goa, as locals of these villages were demanding KTC bus facilities.
“Many people used to go walking as few buses plied along the Old Goa-Pilar route, particularly during odd hours. Now, with the commencement of the KTC bus service, the issue would be resolved to a great extent,” Silveira stated.
“I have been following up the issue since 2017 but it could not be fulfilled due to various reasons,” he added and informed that the timings of the KTC bus would be decided in consultation with local bus operators to avoid clash in timings.
Azossim-Mandur Sarpanch Ajit Bacal said the panchayat had passed a resolution in 2017 to demand the KTC bus service along the Panaji-Mandur route so that the issue of lack of transportation was addressed.
“Along with the panchayat resolution, signatures of over 1,500 locals were also submitted to the government,” said Bacal, while expressing relief that the demand, though belated, has finally been met.
