With the opening of the boulders export route to Bangladesh from Gelegphu in November last year, the town is seeing an increasing number of trucks. The existing truck parking area near the vegetable market can accommodate only about 30 trucks leading to a parking crunch.
Trucks are seen parked alongside the road and at the periphery area of the Gelegphu Thormde.
The parking crunch for heavy vehicles aggravated after the export business came to halt with the implementation of the load carrying capacity rule of 15 MT from May 20. Several trucks were grounded. However, the export of stone aggregates to Assam resumed from yesterday.
Some of the truckers say there is a need for a new parking space for heavy vehicles in the town.
“It is difficult to get a parking space. If we park in an undesignated parking area, traffic police impose fines,” Jasbadhur Mongar, a trucker, said.
However, the Gelegphu Thromde says the issue will be resolved by the end of this month. Thrompon Tikaram Kafley said they have already identified multi-modal transport hub near Army Welfare Project Ltd office below Gelegphu – Sarpang highway. It has an area of 65 acres. But the location is yet to be developed.
“We have already discussed, planned and allocated the work to a contractor to develop the area. It will be ready in three weeks time.”
At present, there are more than 300 trucks in Gelegphu.