Goa Assembly Sees Rare Cross-Party Unity in Condemning Failing Bus Services
In a remarkable display of political consensus, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators joined forces with opposition members in the Goa legislative assembly on Thursday to launch a scathing critique of Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho. The unified condemnation centered on the rapidly deteriorating state of public bus services operated by the Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC), which has left communities, particularly in rural areas, stranded and frustrated.
Detailed Indictment Reveals Alarming Bus Shortages
Poriem MLA Deviya Rane delivered the most comprehensive assessment of the crisis, disclosing critical operational data. According to her statement, KTC currently runs a fleet of 480 diesel buses and 123 electric buses, with 48 of those electric vehicles confined exclusively to Panaji routes. The situation is poised to worsen significantly, as 150 buses are scheduled to be scrapped in the upcoming year.
"Considering the buses to be scrapped and the increasing demand from educational institutions, the state requires 250 to 300 buses in total," Rane emphasized. "Even if the government procures the 137 buses promised in the budget, there will be a significant shortage." She urgently called on the minister to prioritize the acquisition of the remaining buses to address the impending deficit.
Rural and Coastal Constituencies Bear the Brunt
MLAs representing hinterland and coastal regions painted a grim picture of transportation neglect. Bicholim MLA Chandrakant Shetye stressed the fundamental importance of reliable bus services, stating, "Bus stands and transportation are the concerns of the common man. There is no point talking about high-end things if the basic necessities are not taken care of."
Mayem MLA Premendra Shet expressed his exasperation, noting that he has repeatedly raised the issue of rural transport connectivity in the assembly without witnessing any tangible improvements. "Till today, this facility has not improved. The number of buses that need to be made available in our villages have not been provided," he lamented.
Independent MLA Reginaldo Lourenco from Curtorim highlighted specific operational failures, pointing out the irregular evening services on the Margao-Curtorim route. He urged KTC to activate buses on that corridor that are currently not in operation. AAP MLA Venzy Viegas from Benaulim revealed that his coastal constituency is serviced by only a single route, with the department citing lack of demand as justification for not expanding services.
Chronic Under-Supply and Operational Failures
Congress MLA Altone D’Costa from Quepem shared a personal account of bureaucratic inertia, explaining that he has demanded additional buses for four consecutive years but received just one out of the seven he requested. "The poor people are struggling. I don't know where the transport department is heading. Everyone is facing trouble because of the Kadamba buses, it is the major source of transportation," he declared.
Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira proposed a controversial solution, urging the government to restore older diesel buses and withdraw the new electric buses from service. He alleged that the e-buses cause passenger discomfort due to excessive vibration and noise. Furthermore, he reported that numerous scheduled trips are frequently canceled due to vehicle or driver shortages, leaving commuters stranded without recourse.
A Statewide Crisis Demanding Immediate Action
The breadth of criticism, spanning constituencies from northern to southern Goa, underscored a systemic failure that legislators address at every assembly session. Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai encapsulated the collective frustration, linking the transport debacle to broader governance principles. "Public transport on internal routes is required. This government talks about 'antoday' but the government is unable to ensure that people can use public transport to reach their home," he asserted.
The unprecedented cross-party alignment in the assembly signals a pressing public emergency. The Kadamba Transport Corporation's operational deficiencies, coupled with an aging fleet and inadequate procurement plans, have created a mobility crisis affecting Goa's most vulnerable populations. The unified legislative demand for immediate ministerial attention and substantial fleet augmentation highlights a critical juncture for the state's public transportation infrastructure.
