MARGAO
A day before the opening of the tender for collection of stand and parking fees at the Cuncolim bus terminus, a local NGO has called on the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) not to implement the same and first sort out all issues.
In a letter to Derrick Pereira Neto, Managing Director KTCL, the Cuncolim Civic and Consumer Forum has pointed out that the condition of the Cuncolim bus stand was not good and it was highlighted at the South Goa District Consumer Protection Council (SGDCPC) meeting on November 22 which was chaired by Additional Collector South Surendra Naik.
Forum Secretary Lorna Fernandes recalled that after discussion on the subject, the Council had recommended a site inspection to examine all the issues affecting the bus stand. “This was decided after the same was agreed upon by Pralhad Dessai Assistant Director (Enforcement) (South) Directorate of Transport in the presence of a KTCL representative,” she added.
It may be noted that by an advertisement dated 07/12/18 KTCL had called for applications for its tender which is to be opened on December 18, 2018.
In its letter, the CCCF has pointed out that no specific areas were demarcated in the bus stand for parking of two and four-wheelers, adding “therefore it is unclear as to how the charges of the parking areas will be calculated and collected for a day and overnight.
There is no proper lighting at the bus stand due to which there have been thefts from the shops as well as from parked vehicles”.
CCCF further pointed out the stand fee sought to be collected would be based on the premise that buses need to enter and exit the bus stand, but a survey in a week will show that many private buses do not enter the bus stand but halt on the road (national highway) and pick up passengers enroute to Margao and Canacona.
The NGO has further pointed out that if the KTCL proposes to demarcate the area of the bus stand parallel to the road (national highway), then this would be a distant dream as the area has already been taken over by four gaddas selling food items.
The forum further raised questions about the rule under which these are permitted, what fees are being paid to KTCL and when did FDA grant them the FSSAI license.
CCCF has requested the KTCL MD to take immediate steps to finalize the date for the inspection of the Cuncolim bus stand with the Assistant Director (Enforcement) (South) Directorate of Transport.
Copies of the letter have been sent to Dr Tariq Thomas, Collector (South) and Chairman SGDCPC, Surendra Naik Additional Collector -II (South), Nikhil Desai Director of Transport, Gurudas Narvekar Deputy Director Transport (South) and Member Secretary District Road Safety Council, P B Shirvoikar DySP (Traffic) South, Jyoti Sardesai Director, Directorate of Food & Drugs Administration, Pralhad Desai Assistant Director (Enf) (S) Directorate of Transport and Eshant Sawant Assistant Director, Department of Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs.
