Transport associations demand new parking facility in city suburbs

The problems concerning truckers seem to be on the rise with number of heavy-weight vehicles plying in and out of the city increasing every day. The truckers complain lack of parking space and basic amenities inside the current facility.

A truck driver said, “The place is unsafe after several burglaries reported inside the facility. Lack of basic civic amenities including insufficient lighting is a cause of concern for the long-distance drivers here”.

Chennai Goods Transport Association (CGTA) president, PK Agarwal, said, “The truckers in the city require a Transport Nagar in an urgent basis. The other Metropolitan cities Hyderabad and Bengaluru have this facility for truckers. Transiting to interior places in the city cost heavily for truck owners and gives an extra burden for drivers. The problem will be solved automatically with the development of Transport Nagar in a large area”.

The association has given several representations to the government to set up a new facility with adequate space to park trucks, simulators to train drivers, visual media classes and provide training in heavy vehicles driving.According to sources, the entry of trucks is restricted between 7 am and 9 pm in almost all the arterial roads including Anna Salai, Poonamallee High Road and Wall Tax Road. This is existent despite a number of warehouses located in the interiors of the city. 

In the given situation, truck drivers finish loading and unloading during the night and then leave immediately. “The problem related to parking space for the trucks will not surface if the city has an `auto terminal’,” Agarwal added.

The president of State Lorry Owners Federation of Tamil Nadu, Kumaraswamy, said that it is an absolute necessary for any place, city or towns, to accommodate transport nagar within its boundaries. “The basic infrastructure should be provided inside the facility including mechanical shops, painting and chassis workshops. The government must be facing hurdles in finding vast swathe of land to allocate for this purpose. It is tough to single out an issue as they have the authority to allot land for specific segments namely cargo carriers or trailer-lorries,” he added. 

When contacted, a higher official attached to the Transport Department, refused to comment on the issue.