On Overcrowded Buses-I
The private buses plying from the Panaji bus stand to the market and Miramar do not follow the rules and inconvenience the commuters. These buses initially take a long time to exit the bus stand.
They are overcrowded and the conductors misbehave with the passengers. As per the rule, only around 11 standing passengers are allowed in a bus per trip but these buses have almost 25-30 passengers standing. Unless and until the bus is overcrowded, it does not leave the bus stand thus delaying the employees who travel by these buses. The concerned authorities seem to be taking no action against such buses. Unless the RTO authorities and the traffic cell take some prompt action, this practice of packing the buses with passengers beyond capacity will not stop.
MANOJ M KUNKOLIKAR, Mardol
On Overcrowded Buses-II
There is a usually a limit to the number of standing passengers allowed in a bus but it is seen that most of the private buses are overcrowded with people not being able to even breathe properly. Even after a bus is full with passengers, the conductor is seen pushing the passengers inside so as to make space for some more passengers. Sometimes, passengers are even seen balancing themselves at the door of the bus thus risking their lives while travelling. Does the RTO fine such overcrowded buses? I request the Transport Minister to take immediate steps to solve this problem of overcrowded buses.
GANESH LAMANI, Alto Dabolim
Corruption at the Roadside
As the Manohar Parrikar government is talking about zero tolerance to corruption, I would like to bring to the notice of our Chief Minister the corruption taking place on the roadside in the name of issuing challans by the traffic police to the two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets. The presence of these traffic cops is common on the Cuncolim-Chinchinim road and at times they are present in large numbers of about ten. On June 20, I was fined for the same offence. I would really appreciate if the police carried out their duty sincerely in the interest of the two-wheeler riders but I am very sorry to say that though it is difficult to prove, I have personally witnessed the traffic policemen accepting Rs 50, which is half of the fine amount, from the rule violators without issuing a challan. I hope the concerned authorities will look into the matter and save the fast-losing image of Goa police.
JOEL MORAIS, Cuncolim
Shut Down Air India
The 45-day strike by Air India’s striking pilots has plunged the airlines deeper into financial crisis, with its daily losses touching a whopping Rs 10 crore. Senior executive pilots are also complaining that they are being overused and stressed out by the management by being compelled to do extra hours on long-haul flights. There is also discontent and an increasing number of complaints from the public due to the frequent cancellation of flights and poor in-flight cabin crew services. Safety is also being compromised by recruiting and hiring of new pilots. The one-time Maharaja has, therefore, fallen from grace. The government’s recent Rs 30,000 crore bailout to the airline seems to be in vain, with hardly any hopes of the airline recovering its past staggering dues running into thousands of crores of rupees. Under these circumstances one wonders how long the government will continue to support the loss-making airline. The earlier it is shut down, the better.
A F NAZARETH, Porvorim
CCTVs and Traffic Rule Violations
In order to keep a check on the traffic rule violation within the city and for overall surveillance, the district administration in Margao has reportedly fixed four closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) on a trial basis for a month (NT June 19). The question to be asked is whether the installation of CCTVs will result in better traffic control. It seems most unlikely. It must be said that CCTV does not play a preventive role but can assist in the investigation of a crime. CCTV is useful in detecting other crimes like robbery or even a terror attack. But whether it can check traffic rule violation is doubtful. Of course, a CCTV can act as a deterrence to traffic rule violation only if all the road users are aware that they are being ‘watched’. A visitor to any city may not be aware of the same and flout the traffic rules with impunity. Instead of installing CCTV it would be in the fitness of things for the administration to install traffic lights at strategic locations and see that the non-functioning traffic-lights are made functional. As far as CCTV is concerned, there is no modern technology that can replace the human eye. Hence, instead of installing this marvel of modern technology we need to increase the presence of traffic police on our roads to check traffic rule violation.
ADELMO FERNANDES, VASCO
