NT Reporter
Panaji
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTCL) will soon introduce a half-ticket fare scheme for women employed in the private sector, reaffirming that the state-run service is meant to serve people, not pursue profits.
Speaking at KTCL’s 45th anniversary celebration, Sawant said the corporation plays a vital role by connecting remote villages, providing affordable mobility, and extending concessions to vulnerable groups.
“KTC is a passenger-centric service. It is run to provide facilities, not profits. We ensure students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and even cancer patients travel with concessions — 40% for general categories, 70% for students and senior citizens,” he said. Sawant said that an upcoming app will make commuting even more convenient.
He said that the foundation stone for the Vasco bus stand will be laid on October 4 and that other depots will undergo upgrades.
“For a clean and green environment, we will induct more electric buses into the fleet,” Sawant said, praising KTCL’s achievement of covering 82,000 km daily and carrying 90,000 passengers.
During the ceremony, Sawant performed a
puja of the first Kadamba bus (GDX-1).
He also called for stronger integration of KTCL with the Majhi Bus scheme. “We are encouraging more operators to join. Each can earn around Rs 18,000 per month with a subsidy of Rs 10 lakh to purchase a new bus, along with insurance support. So far more than Rs 2 crore has been disbursed under the scheme,” he said.