Social activists have objected to plans to construct the KTC bus terminus in Mapusa on a public-private partnership (PPP) mode, warning that it would have an adverse impact on the Mapusa market.
Sanjay Barde, Sitesh More, Ashok Nagvekar and Uday Mhaldar raised concerns at a news conference in Mapusa on Wednesday.
“We object to the transport department’s notice inviting tenders from interested bidders for the redevelopment, operation, maintenance and transfer of the Mapusa KTC bus terminus through a PPP mode,” said Barde.
“If the new KTC bus terminus is built on a PPP mode, about 300 shops will be set up there, and it will have an adverse impact on the Mapusa market and the livelihoods of several Mapusekars,” said Barde.
“We are not against the development works or a new bus station, but we do not want this project to be built on a PPP mode.”
Barde said the government should have taken locals into confidence regarding the new bus terminus project.
“Moreover, the approval for the bus terminus has been obtained from the Mapusa Municipal Council without the submitted plan,” said Barde.
Ashok Nagvekar claimed the government has acquired 2,000 square metres of land for a new interstate bus terminus but had not provided details on the compensation it has paid for the land acquired.
