Panaji: The Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) has relocated its interstate buses from the Vasco bus stand as preparations for the renovation of the terminal gather momentum. Authorities are also planning to move approximately 60 of KTC's city buses from the terminus in the coming days to facilitate the redevelopment work.
Priority Infrastructure Upgrade
KTC chairman Ulhas Tuenkar stated that the Vasco bus stand project is among the transport corporation's priority infrastructure upgrades. Similar redevelopment plans are in place for the Panaji, Mapusa, and Margao bus stands under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Temporary Terminal Setup
A temporary bus terminal is being established on land near the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) premises in Vasco. Tuenkar explained, "Once the temporary structure is ready and bus operations are shifted there, work on the existing bus stand will proceed at full pace." The temporary facility will exclusively cater to KTC operations, while yellow-and-black taxis and other transport operators will remain unaffected as they operate from separate stands.
Preparatory Work Underway
The preparatory work includes land levelling, construction of a temporary structure, installation of gates, and shifting of electric poles. The site is located on municipal property and is intended solely as an interim arrangement until the redevelopment project is completed in about two years.
Modern Amenities Planned
The upgraded Vasco bus stand is expected to feature several modern amenities aimed at improving passenger convenience and supporting cleaner transportation. KTC General Manager Mahendra Pednekar revealed that the corporation is exploring the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at the bus stand and is also considering powering the terminus through solar energy. "We have plans for installing solar panels, though these proposals are still at a primary stage," Pednekar said.
