'Truck terminal to be set up at Baikampady shortly'

Minister for Urban Development and Housing U T Khader said that the state government will shortly issue permission to set up the proposed truck terminal at Baikampady.

The minister was speaking at an interaction organised by Kanara Small Industries Association on Wednesday.

He said that NMPT at Panambur and a large number of small and mega industries function at Baikampady and Surathkal. “As a result, a large number of lorries and tankers ply in the region. There has been an increase in the volume of goods traffic, which has necessitated the need for a terminal. Without the provision of a terminal, the lorries and trucks used to be parked beside the road, thus hampering the movement of vehicles,” he explained.

“The issue has already been brought to the notice of the state government. A proposal on the setting up of the truck terminal at Baikampady had reached advanced stages during the previous government’s tenure,” said the minister.

Further, he said that the officials have already identified the land for the truck terminal. The file is before the Finance Department. Once the Finance Department approves of the proposal, the work will be taken up, he promised.

“The state government has proposed to provide low-cost housing facilities for the labourers working in industrial areas near to their industries. All efforts would be made to promote small and mega industries in the district. A high-level meeting will be convened to discuss the same, at the deputy commissioner’s office shortly,” said Khader.

He urged the industries to give thrust to the protection of the environment.

Further, he said a proposal to set up an Indira Canteen for the labourers at Baikampady industrial area will be mulled over.

A memorandum, including the setting up of a Baikampady Industrial Township Authority, was submitted to the minister.

Corporator Purushotham Chitrapura, Association President Gaurav Hegde were present at the interaction.