Digital Goa, May 24- State cabinet today approved the ‘Mhaji Bus’ scheme, wherein private buses would be taken on board by Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited(KTCL). The scheme would be implemented on few routes like Canacona-Panaji, Pernem-Panaji, Savordem-Panaji etc to begin with, informed CM Pramod Sawant. All private buses operating on the selected routes will come under the ambit of the scheme. Fixed amount will be paid to the bus owners based on the number of kilometers covered by the bus. The amount to be paid will be modified based on fuel prices from time to time. The conductor will be KTC staffer while the driver will be deployed by the owner. Maintenance and other expenses will also be borne by the owner. The scheme will be tried on the four pilot routes first. It will be tweaked based on the response and will be made applicable to the rest of the state, informed Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho. Before taking the buses on board, govt will ensure that they are roadworthy, clean and worth travelling, he added. Govt also has plans to make the timetables of these buses available to the commuters digitally. Govt may also consider giving subsidies to private operators to replace their old buses if the need be, said Mauvin.
