------------------------------------------------------------------ Domnic Fernandes continues (Part III) his reminiscence of Mapusa of the 1950s
http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sidB6 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Anthony, Im glad you posted the piece below. Because Alemao is not bothered about Dabolim or you and me, or how people would go to the Margao rly station. He is bothered about the taxi drivers of South Goa, who are his vote banks in the next local elections. Let me put things into perspective, and illustrate my point about the local politicians. For the past 40 years, there is a mafia of 10 black and yellow taxis running between Margao and Colva, who do not allow either the state or private bus operaters to run their vehicles on the 5 kms of this route. You can well imagine how the common man and folks living all along this road have to suffer. The taxis charge Rs. 7.50 per head and cram 10 people in each cab, with some women almost sitting on the drivers lap, after which they drive at breakneck speed. These old taxis are without indicator lights, wing mirrors or any other modern fittings, since they are Ambassadors, which should have not been passed by the RTO in the first place. The police from Margao and Colva smilingly wave them on. The prepaid cabs from Margao station to Colva cost Rs.150, which is more than you would pay ANYWHERE in India for a distance of 5 kms. The ticket you buy, states that this rate has the blessings of the RTO and Govt of Goa! So why do you want Alemao to break the lobby--he just loves it. I was driving past his *DABOLIM* meeting at Cortalim the other day, and the only vehicles I saw were hundreds of yellow and black cabs, and pilot motor cycles, besides one teatrist named Menino Bandar(?) prancing on the stage. This proves my point. I can tell you some more stories about the taxis of South Goa, but that can wait for another day. The pity is that this same lobby will slowly but surely kill tourism in Goa. Maybe, that may not be too bad a thing, in the long run, for the people who live here. regards, Gilbert Menezes Message: 11 > Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 09:17:40 -0400 > From: ANTHONY PINHEIRO <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [Goanet] Bus Service > To: goanet@goanet.org > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > > Sir, > > I had gone to Goa and wanted to go to Margao Rly. station from Kadamba bus > stop. > > I was told that the buses are not going to the railway station but I have to > take a rickshaw or a Pilot to take me to the railway station which cost me > Rs.50/. > > Why do they not ply City buses from Kadamba bus stand to Margao railway > station. Are all the people in Goa rich to pay for the rickshaw or a Pilot. > > What are the minister doing ? Are you only looking for the rich people who > go by planes and what about locals who cannot afford by planes. Does Alemao > only looks after the airport. Why can't he break the lobby of rickshaw/taxis > who are looted the locals at the Kadamba bus stand to take them to their > destination or going to the railway station which is a very important point. > > Will anybody take up this matter for plying city buses from Kadamba bus stand > to Margao Railway Station and back. > > Anthony - Loutulim > > > > > ------------------------------ > _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)