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TUESDAY, 23 JUNE 2026

Pvt bus operators issue ultimatum to govt over 41 pending demands

All Goa Private Bus Owners’ Association warns of dharna in Porvorim on June 29 if long-pending issues not resolved within a week

Published 6 hours ago
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Pvt bus operators issue ultimatum to govt over 41 pending demands

 PANAJI

The threat of a transport sector protest has resurfaced, with private bus operators giving the Goa government a one-week ultimatum to address 41 long-pending demands—some dating back to 2023—or face a dharna by bus and taxi operators at the Transport Department headquarters in Porvorim on June 29.

In a statutory notice to the Chief Secretary, the All Goa Private Bus Owners’ Association accused the Transport Department and related agencies of failing to act on representations submitted over the past three years despite repeated reminders and meetings with senior officials.

The association said several issues concerning public transport operations, subsidies, taxation, infrastructure, electric bus deployment and regulatory reforms remain unresolved. It has sought government intervention before June 26.

Its demands include implementation of the Mhaji Bus Scheme 2025, release of pending fuel subsidies, improved bus infrastructure, action against alleged illegal transport operations, a review of Smart City EV bus services and measures to ease the financial burden on private stage carriage operators.

The association also reiterated its opposition to the operation of 26 electric buses on Smart City routes, claiming assurances had been given in meetings with the Chief Minister and Transport Minister regarding their removal. It has further sought termination of agreements linked to certain EV bus services and financial support for operators on the busy Mapusa–Panaji route.

General Secretary Sudip Tamankar said the association had repeatedly approached the government through representations, reminders and personal meetings but had not received any final decisions. “The issues mentioned above have been pending since 2023 and are very important for improving public transport in the State of Goa. Hence, it is once again requested to take up the issues with the appropriate forum and resolve them at the earliest,” the notice stated.

The association said it met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on November 27, 2025, February 2, 2026 and May 18, 2026, and also attended a meeting on June 12 this year with Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and senior officials. According to the notice, directions were issued at that meeting to resolve the concerns of private bus and taxi operators within five working days.

The association warned that if no action is taken, bus and taxi operators will stage a peaceful dharna at the Transport Department office in Porvorim on June 29 from 10 am to 1 pm.

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