Extend Mhaji Bus scheme to all, say bus operators

Bus owners led by Shailendra Faldesai have demanded that the new Mhaji scheme should be extended to all the bus operators in the state.

Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar

MARGAO
With the government promising a new Mhaji bus scheme, bus operators on the Fatorpa–Margao and other routes have made a fervent plea to also be included in the scheme.

Addressing the media, president of the Fatorpa Bus Owners’ Association, Shailendra Faldesai, demanded that the benefits of the new Mhaji bus scheme should be provided to all bus operators and not restricted to a few on select routes.

“Benefits of the 2023 Mhaji bus scheme went only to a few bus operators whose buses were plying on certain routes. The majority of bus operators were not included in the scheme, as a result of which they were left with no option but to keep their buses idle for want of maintenance. The new scheme should include all bus operators willing to avail themselves of its benefits,” he said.

He added: “When the Mhaji bus scheme was launched at the Margao KTC bus stand by Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, promises were made that the scheme would be available for all bus operators. As it turned out, however, the scheme was restricted to operators from Ponda, Quepem and Canacona.”

Faldesai pointed out that though the state government had issued around 1,400 bus permits, only around 57 buses were allowed to avail themselves of the benefits of the Mhaji scheme. “This should not happen with the new scheme to be unveiled by the government. I had taken the forms of the scheme in 2023, but I could not avail myself of the benefits because the scheme was restricted to the three talukas,” he added.

Another bus operator pointed out that dozens of buses are not being operated by their owners because of the high maintenance costs and other expenses. “We have suffered badly over the last two years. We hope the new Mhaji bus scheme will be made applicable to all bus operators across the state,” he added.