Speaking at the 44th anniversary of the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTC) on Dussehra, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged those travelling long distances, particularly on two-wheelers, to consider using KTC buses to mitigate the risk of accidents. He suggested that a reduction in the use of two-wheelers and cars would alleviate traffic congestion.
The Chief Minister noted that KTC had been forced to discontinue its long-distance, profitable inter-state routes to Kolhapur, Pune, Bengaluru, and Belagavi due to a shortage of buses. He attempted to frame this decision as a demonstration of the Corporation’s commitment to providing services on shorter routes, even at a financial loss, for the benefit of the public.
KTC Chairman Ulhas Tuenkar attributed the inadequacy of bus services to regulatory requirements that necessitated the scrapping of around 100 buses that were over 15 years old, leading to a shortage across 100 routes.
Two days later, the Chief Minister further highlighted the public's role in rising road accident rates. He stated that nearly 80 per cent of accidents in the state are attributed to drunken driving, with at least one person dying each day due to accidents, and ten others admitted to Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) with serious injuries.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 13th State Road Safety Week, organised by the Directorate of Transport, he reported an average of 40 to 50 accidents occurring daily in the state. In stark contrast to his previous Covid-19 pandemic rhetoric of “Bhivpachi garaz na” (no need to fear), he now expressed a sense of helplessness, stating, “Bhivapachi garaz asa” (there is need to fear), acknowledging the alarming statistics surrounding road safety in Goa.
The Chief Minister also identified additional factors contributing to the surge in accidents, including phone use while driving, speeding, and young people performing dangerous stunts on the road.
To enhance safety within the public transport system, he suggested that transport authorities rigorously check drivers of interstate public vehicles entering Goa to ensure they are not under the influence of alcohol.
Transport Minister also addressed the gathering, announcing that the government would soon install cameras, including night vision technology, to help reduce accidents and improve accountability.
While listening to the Chief Minister and his colleagues, one could sense their awareness of the grim statistics regarding road fatalities in Goa. However, they seem to overlook a crucial point: they have been elected by the people and entrusted with the responsibility to address these issues. Goans do not expect their leaders to merely lament the problems; they expect actionable solutions.
In his call for the public to abandon private vehicles in favour of public transport, the Chief Minister failed to acknowledge the government's shortcomings in providing an effective public transportation system. There is a lack of last-mile connectivity, and buses are insufficient to connect major towns and villages across the state. On the majority of routes, public transport services are patchy at best and non-existent at worst in the evenings.
The scrapping of older buses was not an overnight decision; it was a gradual policy shift, yet the government did not plan adequately for its consequences. Buses have to endure enough wear and tear on Goa’s potholed roads, and it is no wonder that after a certain number of years in the service, they are ramshackle carriers that are low on safety and comfort. This points to a lack of resource allocation and a short-sightedness on the part of the government. If the authorities don’t prioritise public transport, it is futile to lecture the public on using it.
Regarding the issues of drunken driving, overspeeding, and others mentioned by the transport minister, one must ask: isn't it the responsibility of the transport department and police to enforce these laws? If self-driven rental vehicles are problematic, why continue to issue or renew licences?
Almost two years after the Chief Minister, in October 2022 at a public event, pledged to devise a plan to curb the growing menace of road accidents, little progress has been made. As acknowledged by the transport minister, Goa has become known as the accident capital of the country.
Can we not conclude that the government has failed to plan effectively? Or is it that they are planning to fail? In a welfare state, the buck stops with the Executive, and it is imperative that they rise to the occasion and address this critical issue for the safety and well-being of the citizens.