Putting an end to unscientific parking along Container Terminal Road, which has claimed the lives of unsuspecting motorists and often led to confrontations between container truck operators and the authorities, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has readied a parking yard for container lorries close to the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam.
The four-acre facility can accommodate up to 100 lorries with a length of 20 feet and another 98 with a length of 40 feet. Fares of ₹150 and ₹200 have been fixed for the two categories for parking up to 24 hours. However, they will be lower for shorter duration parking.
Visiting the site, District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla said the district administration’s assurance to commission the new parking yard before Onam now stood fulfilled. He also promised to set up more facilities in the future. BPCL sales manager Doni George Varghese and general manager George Thomas accompanied the Collector.
A toilet complex will also be readied at the yard. Besides, BPCL will undertake a proposal for setting up a rest room and food court as and when funds are available.
The parking yard was constructed by BPCL at a cost of ₹4 crore. The company had taken the land owned by Cochin Port Trust on lease for setting up the yard. Moreover, the company’s petrol pump near the yard will turn operational shortly. Earlier, a meeting convened by the district collector had decided to make temporary parking arrangements till the new yard was complete. For the record, trade unions and truck operators for long had been clamouring for a parking yard.
The Kerala High Court had ordered the intervention of the district administration after it was found that illegal parking by container lorries along Container Terminal Road had been resulting in frequent accidents. Subsequently, the District Collector banned parking along the road.
However, the conditions were relaxed after lorry owners went on a strike protesting against the ban. The strike was called off following a conciliatory meeting called by Ports Minister Kadannappally Ramachandran.
The ban on parking may now be strictly implemented as the parking yard is ready. Earlier, the Collector had directed secretaries of local bodies to take steps for the installation of street lights on the road.
