Fish lorry drivers on Thursday expressed the need for a parking facility, and maintaining cleanliness at the Mangalore Fishing Harbour.
These were two of the demands highlighted at the first meeting of the newly formed Dakke Meenu Lorry Chalakara Sangha held on Thursday. The sangha is associated with the Motor Transport and Engineering Workers’ Union, which is affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).
General secretary of the district unit of CITU Vasanta Achary said 150 lorries would come to the harbour every day. Lorry drivers faced a problem in parking their vehicles. “They are being harassed by groups which control the parking zone in the harbour. The authorities, who collect parking fee, do not ensure a proper facility here,” he added.
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Mr. Achary said not much attention was being given for maintenance of hygiene in the harbour. “We have referred to the good facility being provided at the Malpe harbour. But the authorities here have their own reasons for not providing such a facility,” he added.
The drivers said that they would be forced to launch an agitation if their demands were not fulfilled.