Panaji: Transport minister Mauvin Godinho has declared that the state is determined to procure additional buses “by hook or crook”, following the collapse of a promised donation of 500 buses from an IIT alumni association. The deal fell through when the group sought land in Goa in exchange for funding the fleet, a condition the minister refused to entertain.
Minister meets CM to expand bus fleet
Godinho recently met chief minister Pramod Sawant to explore ways to expand the state’s bus fleet, particularly to improve connectivity to industrial estates. Currently, only Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited serves the Verna industrial estate, ferrying workers to and from the area.
IIT alumni deal collapses over land demand
Explaining the collapse of the IIT alumni initiative, Godinho said the group had initially offered 500 buses, on which the department had pinned significant hopes. “What I came to know afterwards from some of them was that they were eyeing to come and settle in Goa. They were trying to get some land, so they were ready to spend their funds for the buses, provided Goa gave them land,” he said. “Land is a scarce commodity, and I did not agree to that. When the file came to me, I said it cannot be done, and it cannot be quid pro quo. You are not doing any public service to the cause — so that was a little bit of a setback for us.”
FLAME scheme withdrawal adds to funding crunch
Compounding the funding crunch, Godinho said the Centre’s FLAME scheme, under which the state received support for electric buses, was withdrawn abruptly by the central government, leaving the department facing a paucity of funds to expand its fleet.
Industrialists demand better transport
Goa’s manufacturing sector has urged the government to improve the state’s transportation system. The lack of an efficient and round-the-clock transportation system hampers movement of staff, say industrialists.
Government resolves to push ahead
Despite the setbacks, Godinho said the government has resolved to push ahead. “A few days back, we had a meeting with the chief minister, and somehow, we have decided by hook or crook, we are going to get additional buses and see that transportation improves,” he said, adding that better connectivity would also benefit various industries. “Maybe things happen faster because of the elections,” he said.
