Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: The Department of Transport promised the High Court that it would not stop 82 private buses from operating in and around Panjim and the surrounding areas even after the introduction of Electric Vehicle (EV) buses.
With this the High Court of Bombay in Goa dismissed a writ petition filed by five private bus operators.
In the most recent hearing, the government informed the court that it would not stop operating 82 private buses that go through Panaji and its routes.
The petitioners claimed that because the government decision violated Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution and denied private bus operators their livelihood, they were compelled to file an appeal with the High Court.
Despite five recommendations and fifteen distinct concerns from private bus operators to the draft notification published on December 28, 2023, the Department of Transport released the final notification in March of this year.
The Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) now operates 21 e-buses on four routes; at a later time, an additional 27 e-buses will be introduced on all seven major lines.
Prior to this, private bus operators had the choice of using alternative routes or enrolling in the “Mhaji Bus” program. Thirteen buses travel from Panjim to Miramar and back, fourteen buses travel from Panaji to Taleigao Aradi Band via Caranzalem route, and seventeen private buses travel from Goa University to Panaji via Bambolim, Taleigao, Goa University, Dona Paula, and Miramar. In addition, about 20 enroute buses (city service) are arriving at the Panaji market.
