An inspection was conducted at the Cuncolim KTC bus stand on Wednesday.
MARGAO
With traffic snarls a regular occurrence on NH-66 at the entry and exit points of the Cuncolim KTC bus stand, members of the Monitoring Cell of the South Goa District Road Safety Committee, along with stakeholders, conducted an inspection of the bus stand on Wednesday to find a lasting solution to the problem.
The primary focus of the inspection was to ensure that proper signage is installed at the bus stand to guide buses and private vehicles entering and exiting the premises.
Earlier, the Cuncolim Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF) had raised the issue at a meeting of the District Consumer Protection Council, stating that the absence of proper signage amounted to a “deficiency of service” by the agencies responsible for providing services at the bus stand.
Subsequently, GOACAN also flagged the issue before the District Road Safety Committee, pointing out that the lack of proper signage posed a threat to road safety.
During the inspection, it was observed that several private buses and some KTCL buses were not entering the bus stand to pick up and drop off passengers, but were instead stopping along NH-66 outside the premises. This was resulting in frequent traffic jams and had prompted several complaints to the Traffic Police and RTO officials, leading to challans being issued to the bus drivers.
The inspection was aimed at identifying long-term solutions, including the installation of proper signage and the issuance of notifications by the District Collector prohibiting halting and parking in front of the bus stand along NH-66.
Those present included Gerry Vaz, AE, Circle 4, PWD, representing the Member Secretary of the District Road Safety Committee; Godwin, JE, PWD Division 14, NH; Jimreeves R Rebello; MVI Charles Faria; AMVI Lorna Fernandes, secretary, GOACAN; PSI Suraj Gaonkar; PSI Irfan Bepari of the Margao Traffic Cell; Amar Keshave Dev, Traffic Inspector; and a team from KTCL.
A detailed report of the inspection will be submitted to District Collector Egna Cleetus, IAS, chairperson of the South Goa District Road Safety Committee.
Former Cuncolim municipal councillor Mariano Soares told the media that the authorities must work out a solution to the traffic congestion caused by buses picking up and dropping off passengers on NH-66 without entering the bus stand.
