PANAJI
As part of efforts to develop the Capital City in a smart way, the State government has decided to launch electric public transport buses in Panaji and surrounding areas, with an intelligent transport management system with specifically designed bus shelters and platforms.
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) on behalf of Imagine Smart City Development Limited has invited tenders for selection of centralised agencies for these requirements.
In the tender, the GTDC has invited an agency to design, development, supply, install, implement, host and maintain an Intelligent Transportation Management System (ITMS) for the public bus transport in Panaji and surrounding areas.
An agency has also been invited to design, develop, operate and maintain bus shelters and platforms at various locations in Panaji and surrounding areas.
One more agency will be selected to supply, operate and maintain electric vehicles (buses/ buggies) along with allied infrastructure in Panaji and surrounding areas.
The government has decided to shift to electric mode of public transport, however the private bus owners, who are plying buses in the city and are the biggest stakeholders in the bus transport sector, claim they have not been taken into confidence by the State government till now.
“We have not been given any information about these e-buses,” said Sudip Tamhankar, President of All Goa Private Bus Owners Association.
