THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
A recent inspection by the North Goa District Road Safety Committee has revealed numerous irregularities at the Mapusa bus stand, a key transport hub serving seven constituencies in Bardez.
The inspection, which involved officials from various departments including PWD roads and buildings, electricity, traffic police, KTC, the urban health center, and Mapusa municipality, highlighted significant concerns about the bus stand's condition.
The committee discovered that the approach roads to the bus stand, including entry and exit points, were in a dilapidated state, with broken roads and abandoned vehicles scattered throughout the premises.
Garbage was found littered at multiple locations, particularly around the entrance and exit, emitting a foul odour and presenting a negative image of the city.
Additionally, unauthorised parking of bikes along bus bays and open septic tanks posed further safety hazards.
Roland Martins, a member of the North Goa District Road Safety Committee and coordinator of GOACAN, emphasised the gravity of the situation.
“The bus stand is left open at night, allowing people and animals to loiter in open spaces. The walls are stained with ‘paan’ spit, and open spaces are used as toilets, adding to the filth,” Martins said.
He also noted that the approach roads were hazardous, old signage boards were worn out, and three septic tanks were left uncovered and poorly marked.
The inspection also revealed a long-standing dispute over the boundary line of the bus stand between KTC and the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC). Martins stressed that the presence of garbage and improper pavements deter people from using the bus stand, particularly senior citizens who are forced to walk on the road due to poor pavement conditions.
Abandoned vehicles were found across the bus stand, with Martins calling for KTC to be granted powers to lock vehicles parked in the wrong places or remove those abandoned for over 48 hours.
Mapusa Health Officer Dinesh Parab highlighted the need to maintain cleanliness at the bus stand, given the large number of people who use the facility daily.
He confirmed that the open septic tanks, which belong to the MMC, would be addressed to prevent health hazards.
Parab also noted that the toilets at the KTC bus stand were found to be unclean and poorly maintained.
The North Goa District Road Safety Committee has asked the relevant authorities to prepare and submit a preliminary report within 10 days, with a final report expected within a month.
The committee's findings were well-documented with photographs, and corrective actions are anticipated to follow soon.
