The inspection team was greeted by heaps of uncollected garbage at the Mapusa bus-stand.
MAPUSA: It was yesterday once more, when officials from several government departments met again last week to inspect the Mapusa bus-stand on measures to be taken for the safety of passengers, but most of the recommendations made last year were yet to be implemented.
Suggestions over exposed electrical junction boxes and cable joints, absence of portable fire extinguishers in shops and offices and lack of operating valve to the courtyard hydrant were brought to the attention of the authorities last year but none were implemented.
Similarly, issues like hindrance posed by the unused huge metal gates at the entrance and exit of the bus-stand, haphazard parking of two wheelers, presence of cattle at the bus bays posing danger to passengers and un-cleared garbage were listed during last year’s inspection but nothing has been done about it.
Also, the failure to display pay parking rates were highlighted during last year’s inspection but no steps were taken to enforce the recommendation.
So it came as no surprise that all these recommendations found it's way during the inspection carried out last week by the department officials and the North Goa District Road Safety Monitoring Cell.
A member of the North Goa District Road Safety Monitoring Cell, Roland Martins informed that the earlier inspections were held under the aegis of a road safety council but now there was a separate cell created to act on the recommendations.
He also said that all the recommendations were well documented with photographs unlike earlier.
“Earlier there was no “monitoring cell”. This time the cell will be effective in implementing the recommendations. We therefore expect the authorities to take action this time around,” Martins assured.
He said there was an immediate “crack down” on recommendations made soon after a similar inspection was held at the Panaji bus-stand two weeks ago.
Last week, officials from various government departments along with consumer forum volunteers carried out an inspection of the Mapusa bus-stand as it was an important bus terminus in North Goa.
Co-ordinator GOACAN, Roland Martins highlighted the importance of such inspections for compliance and sought the cooperation of all partner departments.
He emphasized that early action can prevent accidents and save precious lives and property.
After listing key findings, most of which were made last year, it was decided that the Mapusa Municipal Council, Mapusa Urban Health Centre and the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited will submit their action taken reports on the inspection findings by mid-November to Salim Sheikh, DySP Traffic & Monitoring Cell Chairman which will then be submitted to Collector, Ajit Roy (IAS).
Monitoring cell takes note
of an ‘illegal’ structure
Passengers' view being blocked by the proposed tea stall at the bus-stand
MAPUSA: The construction of an alleged illegal structure on the passenger platform at the Mapusa bus-stand drew the attention of the North Goa District Road Safety Monitoring Cell.
According to the monitoring cell, the proposed tea stall was being constructed near the pay toilet for women on the main Mapusa bus-stand platform by encroaching on the passenger seating and the bus bay area thereby restricting open space.
“It is an encroachment. Anything that is constructed in the municipal area needs permission of the local civic body. The tea stall is being constructed without the permission of the Mapusa Municipal Council. Secondly, they require licence to operate,” Martins said.
He said the construction of the tea stall on the platform was dangerous as it has restricted the movement of the people and it was also going to restrict ventilation.
“The kiosk should not be so close to the sitting area. We will take up that issue separately,” he said.
