New Year bash in Goa? Wait untill next year

For the 1,200 odd Goan families in Hyderabad, the customary trip to Goa is becoming difficult. The lack of buses and insufficient number of trains is causing worry. There are many youngsters from Goa working in BPOs in the city who travel frequently. Dr Wilfred de Souza, president, Goan Welfare Association, Hyderabad says, “We wrote to the chairman Railway Board, Goa tourism minister, Railway Board Grievances Cell but did not even receive an acknowledgement. There are just four sleeper coaches in the Yashwantpur train from Kachiguda.”

There is huge rush during December and especially New Year as thousands plan to spend the New Year in Goa but the lack of trains and bus service to the land of beaches is dampening the spirits of holiday makers in the city. Richard Fernandez, an employee of HSBC and a native of Mapusa village in Goa shares his ordeal, “The onward journey is fine but when we return there is a break journey of about five hours at Guntakal as we need to wait for the Yashwantpur train that arrives at 10 pm.”

With just five private bus services operating from Hyderabad many passengers do not get seats. An official of Paulo Travels says, “The rush is huge during Oct-January and May-June. Even otherwise there are many travelling to Goa. There are few bus operators in Hyderabad.”

D Colaso, general secretary, Goan Welfare Association says, “Last year there was a single bus service to Panaji run by APSRTC but it was discontinued. It is ironical that in spite of so much demand the Road Transport Corporation has stopped the service.”

When The Hans India contacted Koteshwar Rao, Executive Director, Greater Hyderabad, APSRTC he said “It is difficult to monitor long distance bus service so we had to stop the service for practical purpose. We are planning to start a service to Hubli soon.”

Melinda, a resident of Mettuguda says, “The travel time by bus is just 12 hours while it is 17 hours by train. I wonder why more private operators are not starting service.”

Colaso says, “Even if we try and book Railway tickets 60 days in advance there is no guarantee as majority of the tickets are booked in EQ quota and tatkal. As there are just five coaches it is difficult.”

Manish Agarwal, a businessman who travels frequently to Goa says, “These days booking bus tickets too are like booking flight tickets. If one wants to book tickets a day in advance or on the same day the rate is hiked up by more than 50 %.”