Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira on Thursday criticised the state-run Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC), alleging that services have deteriorated after the introduction of electric buses.
Ferreira said commuters were frequently facing delays and cancellations due to buses not operating on time.
“My respectful submission is that KTC should be wound up. KTC is not doing any good services for us. After the introduction of the EV buses KTC is just going downhill. We don’t get buses on time. Buses are not being operated. I don’t know if the government is aware of it. People are coming, workers are coming but there is no bus because it is not being operated because of lack of vehicles or drivers not available,” he said.
He questioned the reliability of the EV bus operators and called for a review of the system.
“How can you rely on these people when they are not operating these services properly? When we had diesel buses it was working excellently. You can say pollution, but if they are serviced regularly there won’t be pollution. People go to the market and they don’t have a bus to come back. People are waiting for hours, families are worried as to what has happened,” he said.
Ferreira also questioned the cost of operating EV buses, stating that the state was paying ₹75.87 per kilometre and that the rate had reportedly increased.
“The cost we are paying is very high. We are paying 75.87 rupees per kilometre, and I’m told that also has been increased. Is this price justified for non performance and under performance? We need to review this and stop the EV buses and restore the old buses and especially have the mini buses. We want the small mini buses, we don’t want those 12 metre buses which can’t turn around,” he said.
He said the state also needs to address the issue of last-mile connectivity in towns such as Curchorem and Mapusa, particularly during night hours.
“Another thing which we are lacking is the last mile connectivity. Wherever you go, say Curchorem or Mapusa in the night. There is nothing there for you except motorcycle pilots who are waiting for you. We need to strengthen this last mile connectivity because it will allow the movement of people in a safe manner and a reliable manner and at a cheaper cost,” he said.
Ferreira urged the government to liberalise motorcycle pilot licences, arguing that restrictions were forcing many operators to run services without permits.
“For Motorcycle pilots, the rule states that there can be only a limited number of people who can be given licences in a given stand. Many people operate motorcycle taxis without the license because they cannot get the licence. Why do you not allow motorcycles to operate from home like how tourist taxis are supposed to operate?” he asked.
He said locally known motorcycle pilots could provide safer services compared to unknown operators.
Ferreira also raised concerns over rent-a-car operations in the state, saying some tourists with newly issued driving licences were renting vehicles and posing risks on the roads.
“We’ve seen tourists who are coming who have probably taken their licences the previous day or the previous week coming and driving rental car vehicles. This is very dangerous for us and for anyone who is passing by,” he said.
He added that genuine operators should be given rent-a-car licences and that the government should address corruption and monopoly concerns in the sector.
“If you don’t increase permits, people are unemployed who have no source of income. Some have bought vehicles by taking loans and they want to earn something out of it. But there are others who are in this business who have officially registered vehicles and unofficial unregistered vehicles and they are operating with certain arrangements with the police or with the RTO. This is allowing corruption to go on,” he said.
Ferreira also criticised the state government over delays in establishing the State Finance Commission and questioned why funds recommended by the Finance Commission for panchayats and urban local bodies had not been released.
“The CAG report noted that in 2023-24 the finance commission recommended a basic grant of Rs 58 crore and Rs 30 crore to PRIs and ULBs and the state governments did not receive any grants for 2023-24 for PRIs and ULBs,” he said.
He added that the central government had withheld ₹168 crore from the 15th Finance Commission meant for village panchayats due to failure to submit utilisation certificates.
Ferreira alleged irregularities in purchases made under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), claiming that panchayats were supplied equipment they did not need and at inflated prices.
“All you have to do is open the internet and you will find that even in the ordinary market, without even placing bulk orders, it is at less rate than what the government of Goa has purchased. Someone has played mischief and there is great fraud in this purchase, and the minister needs to order an inquiry into this,” he said.
He also questioned industrial policies in the state, asking the government to disclose details of new industries that had come up in industrial estates and whether they were generating employment for local residents.
Ferreira alleged that some projects cleared by the Investment Promotion Board were later sold to other parties.
“I am seeing the IPB proposals which are being made, getting it cleared and the project is being sold to somebody else. This is like a brokerage or a real estate company. We need to stop this project clearance through IPB if it happens like this,” he said.
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