For the trucks transporting potatoes to the Phuentshogling auction yard, parking will no longer be an issue. Since last week, the truckers have been allowed to use the mini dry port as parking.
The parking was shifted to the mini dry port following the finance minister’s recent visit to Phuentsholing. Lyonpo Namgay Tshering also committed Nu 20 M for procurement of two grading machines. The machines will be installed at the port temporarily.
Earlier, a place at the border of Phuensthogling and Jaigaon used to be the parking space for the trucks carrying potatoes from across the country to FCB auction yard. According to the truckers, they have faced many problems due to the parking space. But now truck drivers are happy that the parking has been shifted to the mini dry port recently.
“It is more convenient to park our vehicles here. Further, if the unloading could be done a bit faster, we would be grateful. There is also a need for a canteen here because, at the moment, we have to go to the town to eat,” Thinley Norbu, a truck driver, said.
“In mini dry port, it is by far spacious and safe and it has all the required facilitates like toilet and water connection. It is very convenient for us. Even for truckers, if they want to unload the consignment and go back to get the next consignment, they can do it at mini dry port,” said Dorji Tashi, the Director of Dept. of Corporate Business, FCB.
The mini dry port can accommodate more than 50 trucks. The Phuentshogling auction yard remains packed with potato-loaded trucks during the months of October and November.
Meanwhile, the potato price at the auction yard is better this time. Farmers are fetching as high as Nu 48 for a kilogram.
Sonam Penjor
