Panjim: Taking a tough stance against the new bus shelters, Revenue Minister Attanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate has said the design is impractical and unsuitable for the climatic conditions of the city. They have demanded that the design of these unplanned bus shelters should be immediately rectified and the advertising rights issued to the private agency should be stopped.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary, Monserrate said the bus shelters are small in size to accommodate the number of passengers using the public transport system in the city. He said the roof above is inadequate to provide shade or protection from rain as well as the scorching sun. Apart from this, the seating arrangement is also inconvenient and causes inconvenience to the pedestrians. Bus shelters also obstruct the visibility of pedestrians and motorists thereby creating a safety hazard.
Monserrate has strongly objected to the display of various advertisements on bus shelters, which, he said, is not characteristic of smart bus stops. A copy of the letter has also been sent to Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL).
“I have strong objection to the inclusion of advertising rights in the documents along with the terms and conditions of the agreement previously executed by Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) and PrimeSlots Events Private Limited. Panaji City Corporation (CCP) will have to display these advertisements,” he said, fearing that CCP would suffer a loss of crores of rupees if the advertising rights were illegally handed over to a private agency.
Monserrate, who is also a local legislator, demanded that advertising rights should be vested in the CCP as per the constitutional mandate referred to and warned that he would take further steps to restore sanity to this entire exercise if necessary. Will be obliged to take. Is not taken.
When contacted, the IPSCDL official said, “We are investigating the issues raised in the letter (written by Monserrate). Contractual, legal and technical aspects need to be examined. Appropriate response will be shared by appriseding the government at the appropriate time.
