KTC shifts interstate buses Out of Vasco stand ahead of renovation

Panaji: Interstate buses operated by the Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) have been shifted out of the Vasco bus stand as preparations gather pace for renovation works of the terminus. Authorities are also planning to relocate around 60 of KTC’s city buses from the terminus in the coming days to facilitate the redevelopment work.KTC chairman Ulhas Tuenkar said the Vasco bus stand project is among the transport corporation’s priority infrastructure upgrades, with plans also in place for the redevelopment of the Panaji, Mapusa and Margao bus stands under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.According to Tuenkar, a temporary bus terminal is being set up on land near the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) premises in Vasco. “Once the temporary structure is ready and bus operations are shifted there, work on the existing bus stand will proceed at full pace,” he told TOI.The temporary facility will cater exclusively to KTC operations. “Yellow-and-black taxis and other transport operators will not be affected, as they function from separate stands,” he said.The preparatory work includes land levelling, construction of a temporary structure, installation of gates and the shifting of electric poles. “The site is located on municipal property and is intended solely as an interim arrangement until the redevelopment project is completed in about two years,” he said.The upgraded Vasco bus stand is expected to feature several modern amenities aimed at improving passenger convenience and supporting cleaner transportation. KTC general manager, Mahedra Pednekar, said that KTC is exploring the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at the bus stand and is also considering powering the terminus through solar energy.“We have plans for installing solar panels, though these proposals are still at a primary stage,” Pednekar said.