PANAJI
The passengers of Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) have an unusual respite from their usual grumbles and complaints this time, and the reason behind this collective sigh of relief is simple yet huge.
The KTCL buses have been spared from the transportation task associated with the National Games 2023. The government has already taken on board a travel company to hold the responsibility of handling the transportation facilities, accommodation, and catering of the athletes and the officials.
The decision has brought about a refreshing change in the way KTCL operates during such mega events with passengers certainly reaping the benefits.
However, the Corporation did not entirely escape the clutches of the National Games. Around half a dozen buses were reserved to ferry policemen to the inaugural venue at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, on October 26.
“Except for 5-6 buses, all the other KTCL buses are operating on their regular schedules and designated routes. These few buses were assigned for a single day, on October 26, to transport the police personnel to and from the National Games’ opening ceremony venue," KTCL's Managing Director Derrick Pereira Neto said while speaking to The Goan.
It is learnt that the travel firm, which has been allocated the project via government tender, has hired 420 buses and 823 four-wheelers to transport the participants of the Games.
While the government has given the KTCL a breather from an event of such magnitude, the Corporation officials stated that the authorities have requested them to keep some buses on ‘stand by’ in case of emergency.
