PRIVATE BUS OWNERS PROTEST FOILED BY COPS

MARGAO: Attempts by private city bus owners on Monday to go on a 'protest fast' against the decision of the district administration to change the routes of city buses—aimed at decongesting the city—were foiled, as police clamped down on the protestors and the authorities engaged them in yet another round of talks.

Deputy collector Johnson Fernandes, during a meeting with a delegation of the protesting private city bus owners, told them in no uncertain terms that the change in route of the city buses had evoked the desired positive result and that the route would not be reverted.

When the bus owners, led by Sudeep Tamhankar, termed the decision as 'discriminatory' as only a few buses were being diverted, while the others were being allowed to enter through the city, Fernandes told them that all the routes would be diverted away from the city shortly. The bus owners also demanded that the city bus stand be closed for all city buses.

Fernandes said that the new route that was introduced on a trial basis for buses on the Housing Board-Davorlim route, would now be used as a regular route by these buses. "As regards closing the city bus stand, it is for the RTA to take a decision," Fernandes said.