KOCHI: The lack of sufficient parking space for container trucks serving the International Container Terminal at Vallarpadam in Kochi is threatening to flare up into another round of agitation with truck owners declaring an indefinite strike from Sunday midnight. The strike has been called to protest against the decision of the district administration imposing a ban on parking of trucks in the Container Road linking NH-47 to the terminal from Kalamasserry. The collector had issued the order on July 5 banning the parking of container trucks along the Container Road. He also called for proper street lights along the road.
The order has stated that trucks parked along the road will be penalized. The ban was imposed in the wake of Bharat Petroleum Corporation providing a three-acre plot which can accommodate 75 trucks. Charles George, convener of the Trade Union Coordination Committee, representing the unions of drivers and crew however said the place is not having enough space for parking all the trucks servicing the terminal. He also said the order of the collector came all of a sudden.
Claiming that nearly 1,700 container trucks will participate in the strike he said the district administration promised to provide sufficient parking space one year ago. The promise was not fulfilled while 300 trucks parked along the container road were imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 each since July 5. The collector has issued a ban on parking following the recurring incidents of accidents in the Container Road. The high court had also intervened in the matter on earlier occasions and asked the district administration to take appropriate steps.
