Not many takers for hi-tech truck terminal

The terminal constructed at a cost of `12.5 cr lacks basic facilities

The D Devraj Urs Truck Terminal, built to help truck drivers coming from different parts of the State, has no takers even after a year of its commencement. The reason for the poor response is said to be lack of basic amenities, dormitory for drivers, medical dispensary hospital and a garage.

The truck terminal situated near APMC yard in Bandipalya, built on a sprawling six and half acre land, receives just 30-40 trucks daily on an average, while at a times the facility can accommodate around 100 trucks. Currently, a fee of Rs 30 per day provides only parking and toilet facilities. However, facilities like dormitory, petrol bunk, hospital, garage and space for transport agents’ offices are yet to be added to it. The State government has spent nearly Rs 12.48 crore on the project.Only six transport agents have established their offices and pay Rs 2,000 rent per month.

The other reason for the terminal not gaining popularity is said to be the news spreading that it will be privatized soon and the parking fee and other charges would be increased. Due to this, drivers continue to park their trucks by roadsides, which results in an increase in road accidents.

An official in-charge of the premises, who did not want to be named, said, the response was not encouraging from the day one. Initially there were only 7-8 trucks per day. Now it has increased to nearly 40 trucks, while the city receives more than 900 trucks a day. It costs nearly Rs 2 lakh for maintenance, salary of guards and officers per month, he added.

He said, the terminal provides safety and reduces chances of accident, which would occur due to parking of vehicles beside road. In the second phase, it intends to provide all facilities like fuel station, garage, rest rooms and hospital in the premises itself. “However, the hi-tech terminal, even after a year, fails to meet basic requirements. As a result, truck drivers either park their vehicles by the roadside or in front of transport agents’ offices,” he said.

B Jayaraj, vice-president of Mysore Lorry Transport Commission Agents Association, speaking to Deccan Herald blamed that not all transport agents had been provided office space in the premises and also failed to complete second phase work. “If there is no office to carry out our activities, how can one expect lorries to park here?” he questioned.

He added, in the city, there are about 150 transport agents’ offices and they needed to be shifted to the truck terminal. Once all the offices are shifted, the activities and number of trucks will increase. In a meeting, held a week ago at Bangalore, it was decided to revamp the facilties at the terminal. A fuel station will be setup soon, he mentioned.