MARGAO
Hundreds of office-goers and students were left stranded at the Margao KTC bus stand for over an hour on Monday morning after electric buses operating on the Margao“Panaji route were pulled out of service due to battery discharge issues.
At least seven electric buses run by Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) developed battery-related snags after completing their morning trips and were sent back to the depot for charging. The sudden withdrawal of the buses resulted in chaos at the bus stand, with long queues of passengers left without any immediate alternatives.
KTC officials confirmed that the EV buses had to be withdrawn due to recurring battery discharge problems. It was only after KTC officials deployed diesel buses that passengers heaved a sigh of relief, as they were able to resume their journeys ” but not before undergoing the hour-long ordeal of standing at the bus stand and being delayed by over an hour.
“The KTC has been facing the battery discharge problem with these seven buses. We had reported the problem to the company, but the issue was not resolved. A technician is expected to arrive in Goa in a day or two to rectify the problem relating to battery discharge,” a KTC official said.
However, passengers criticised the lack of preparedness and demanded intervention by KTC management and the state government to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Just imagine the fate of the office-goers, students and other commuters travelling on the Margao-Panaji route, and they are left with no means of transport to travel to the State capital,” remarked a commuter.
