Daijiworld Media Network - Mapusa
Mapusa, Dec 15: An illegally installed advertising hoarding at the Mapusa Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) bus stand was finally removed recently, but only after sustained intervention by the Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN), raising concerns over monitoring and enforcement at one of Goa’s busiest transport hubs.
The hoarding, advertising Club Cubana and prominently placed at the entrance of the bus stand, had been erected without permission from KTCL and without payment of mandatory advertising fees. Despite being in full public view, the unauthorised structure remained in place for several weeks, allegedly escaping the notice of KTCL’s supervisory staff.
GOACAN formally complained to the Assistant Divisional Manager of the Porvorim Depot, Bikaji Phadte, following which an internal inquiry confirmed that the hoarding was illegally installed. Welders from the KTCL workshop were subsequently deployed to cut and remove the structure. Only after its removal did KTCL lodge a complaint with the Mapusa Police Station seeking action against those responsible.
Activists have questioned why action was taken only after a citizen watchdog stepped in. GOACAN has demanded that KTCL register a First Information Report against the company involved for criminal trespass, illegal installation and revenue loss caused to the public transport undertaking.
The episode also brought to light other irregularities at the Mapusa bus stand. During a parallel inspection, GOACAN volunteers found violations in the operation of public toilets, including overcharging of commuters and lack of basic supervision. The toilet attendant was reportedly not in uniform and was charging Rs 5 for use of the urinal against the approved rate of Rs 2. These issues were addressed only after GOACAN raised the matter with KTCL management, following which an official rate card was displayed.
GOACAN coordinator Roland Martins said the incident highlighted how citizen intervention often fills gaps left by institutional oversight. “If people complain, action follows. Citizens must get involved and promptly lodge complaints whenever there is a deficiency in service in government departments,” he said, adding that GOACAN would continue to pursue cases where authorities fail to act independently.
GOACAN has also flagged the continued sale of banned gutka products in and around the Mapusa bus stand and has called for coordinated action by enforcement agencies.
The presence of illegal advertisements, overcharging of commuters and sale of prohibited items within the same premises has put KTCL’s supervisory mechanisms under scrutiny, with activists alleging that enforcement remains largely reactive rather than proactive, allowing violations to persist until exposed through external complaints.