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MARGAO: With the Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) commencing the procedure
to appoint a consultant to construct the proposed ultra modern bus stand at
Margao, the derailed project is finally set to get back on track. KTC chairman
Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco has disclosed that the procedures to scrutinize
tenders of consultants will commence shortly.
“Some 15 firms have approached the corporation but only around 10 firms are
likely to place their bids for the work,” he said. “The work will be taken up
on a builtoperate-transfer basis as the corporation is not in a position to
foot the expenditure involving the project,” he added. Vice chairman Sameer
Volvoikar told TOI on Monday that this time around, the project is sure to take
off. “The technical process may take some months, after which construction
activity will commence, as the chairman is following up the matter quite
aggressively. The work will be taken up through the Goa Infrastructure
Development Corporation (GSIDC),” he said. Though the corporation had announced
that it would complete technical formalities of the project and commence
construction by February this year, officials attached to the corporation told
TOI that the process was delayed due to the election code of conduct. “The work
is likely to commence by April,” said the official.
The government had in the past announced its plans to construct an ultra modern
bus stand on a land admeasuring some 60,000 sq m owned by the corporation near
the existing bus stand at Margao. “Work on the project was supposed to commence
last year, the cost was of which was estimated at Rs 300 crores. However, the
multi-storeyed project with modern amenities got derailed due to a problem with
the consultant,” said an official.
“The lack of a proper bus stand in Margao poses hardship to the commuting
population of South Goa. Overburden on the few toilets, phone booths, seating
arrangement and drinking water facilities makes things even worse,” said
activist Auda Viegas, who in several representations to the government has
demanded dequate facilities for women and handicapped people. The existing bus
stand was temporarily erected during the late 80s. Minor changes in the
structure is all that has been done to cater to the over 65,000 daily commuter
traffic, combined with transport and administrative staff numbering over a 1000
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