Truckers in Gelephu Thromde are given a new parking area at the new Industrial Service Centre. The old truck parking near the vegetable market in Gelephu Thromde is being redeveloped as taxi parking. But the truckers are not happy with this. They claim they are unable to get business in the new parking space as people are not aware of the relocation.
“When the parking was in town, we used to get work. After moving here, owing to the long-distance and as people are unaware of the new parking we don’t get much work. Only a few are able to get work,” said Dawa Drakpa, a trucker in Gelephu.
“People are not aware of the new truck parking area since there is no signboard. Only those that are parked at the roadside and in the periphery of the town area get work. We sustain our livelihood by ferrying loads,” said Kencho Tashi, another trucker.
Some added without a blacktop, the new parking area becomes dusty during sunny days and muddy when it rains.
According to the Gelephu Thrompon, the issue would be resolved with the development of a multi-modal transport hub along the Gelephu–Sarpang highway. The hub will join all modes of transportation and ensure convenient parking spaces. The Thromde has allotted 45 acres of land to the RSTA office in Gelephu to develop the transport hub.
“Movement of vehicles from one place to another will increase as country plans to improve exports. We have also started dry port and once it is complete, vehicle numbers will increase. If we don’t start building roads now, there is a possibility of congestion and accident,” said Gelephu Thrompon Tshering Norbu.
However, it might take some time before the work to develop the multi-modal transport hub begins. While the Thromde says RSTA will develop the hub, the latter believes it is Thromde’s responsibility as the facility has to be set up in the Gelephu Thromde area.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Phub Gyem
