Goa to nationalise bus transport

In an era of privatisation, the Goa government plans to nationalise its bus transport in a phased manner.

An assurance to this effect was given by State Transport Minister Subhash Shirodkar, following a storm raised by the Opposition over the private operators's frequent strikes. The government has already cancelled the permits of 100 operators.

Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane threatened to cancel more permits if the services are not resumed immediately. He said Goa MP Churchill Alemao was misguiding the operators.

The Goa Bus Owners Association is divided over the issue, and its president, who had called off the strike on Saturday, has resigned as the strike continues.

The state-funded Kadamba Transport Corporation, which operates hardly 30 per cent of the bus services in the state, is presently in the doldrums due to gross mismanagement and rampant corruption.

The commuters prefer private buses as they charge a little less than the KTC. Though private operators are known for overcrowding and rash driving, causing accidents and casualties, the authorities have been turning a blind eye to these incidents.