MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that all buses passing along the route of the South Goa District Hospital in Margao will be mandated to make a stop at the hospital, in a move aimed at easing access for patients and visitors.
The assurance came during the Zero Hour in response to concerns raised by Congress MLA Altone D’Costa, who highlighted the daily struggles faced by the general public “ particularly the elderly, patients and economically weaker sections “ due to the lack of direct bus connectivity to the hospital.
“Currently, passengers are forced to get down at the Margao KTC bus stand and then walk a considerable distance to reach the hospital. This is a huge inconvenience, especially for those who are ill,” D’Costa said, renewing an issue he had also raised during the previous Assembly session.
D’Costa appealed to the government to introduce a dedicated shuttle service between the Margao KTC bus stand and the South Goa District Hospital. In response, the chief minister acknowledged the problem and assured the House that immediate steps would be taken to address it.
“We will ensure that all buses passing through the hospital route will stop at the South Goa District Hospital,” he said.
The issue has long been a point of concern for residents in and around Margao, as the newly constructed district hospital, despite being a critical healthcare facility, remains difficult to access via public transport.
The assurance is expected to bring relief to many Goans who rely on government healthcare services and public transport.
