Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 18: The truck terminal plan for the city, which has been in limbo for the last some decades, has sprung back to life. Now, search for a suitable site near New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) Panambur is on for executing the project.

Chairman of D Devaraj Urs Truck Terminals Ltd, D S Veeraiah, had recently held a meeting with the district administration during his recent visit to the city where the issue of locating a site near NMPT was raised. The officials have undertaken a check for the ideal location for the terminal. Considering the number of trucks coming to NMPT and Baikampady, a truck terminal had been set up several years back in an area belonging to the port in which over 600 trucks can be parked. However, the traffic here continues to be chaotic because of the high number of trucks.

Besides being a leading commercial centre of Karnataka, Mangaluru also happens to be one of the leading ports of the country and the only one in Karnataka. The city has four industrial areas and the old port here happens to be the wholesale commercial centre. As per details available, 2,000 tankers move about every day through the city. A large number of small and medium size industries function here and thousands of transport trucks arrive. After emptying their loads, these trucks have to wait for a couple of days before they get loads to carry. Even the trucks moving through the city to other states prefer to stay here for the night. But because there is no proper space, many trucks are parked by the roadside, which not only obstructs smooth traffic on the highways but also causes accidents.

The truck terminals are meant not only to reduce accidents in the highways but also enable the drivers to get facilities at the terminals where they rest. The terminals need to have proper toilets telephone facilities, godowns, police outpost, petrol bunk, service f centre, fire station, automobile spare part stalls, weigh bridge, health facilities etc.

Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner Dr Rajendra K V, said that in the past, a private land near Pavanje bridge next to Surathkal had been identified for the truck terminal in the past but the price was not negotiated. He said that now, a suitable spot near the NMPT is under consideration for the terminal.