Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 5: The ambitious plan to replace the old-style truck terminal in the port city of Mangaluru with a modern truck logistic park has remained a distant dream even after 12 years of promises by successive governments. Despite repeated announcements, no concrete steps have been taken so far.

With the expansion of port operations and industrial zones in and around Mangaluru, the arrival of large-scale industries has attracted investments worth thousands of crores. Along with this growth, the number of trucks and tankers has surged dramatically. Yet, the city and its outskirts still lack a designated parking space for heavy vehicles.

Currently, trucks are being parked haphazardly along highways and service roads, particularly in Baikampady, Kulai, and Panambur, posing serious safety hazards and causing frequent accidents.

Land hurdles derail progress

The project, initially planned by the Devaraj Urs Truck Terminals Corporation under a public-private partnership model, later saw the state government propose the construction of a high-tech logistic park instead of a traditional truck terminal.

While the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) had offered 5 acres of land, the state insisted that at least 10 acres were required for the facility. Efforts to acquire additional land failed, and even the APMC yard, which was considered as an alternative, faced objections from APMC itself. Talks between the state government and NMPA for allocating 10 acres under port jurisdiction also hit a dead end.

Why the Logistic Park is crucial?

•    Over 5,000 trucks currently handle cargo at the port.

•    Hundreds of heavy vehicles ferry goods daily to industrial zones.

•    Lack of proper parking forces drivers to rest on road shoulders, increasing the risk of accidents.

•    With upcoming industrial investments, the volume of trucks and tankers is expected to surge further, creating urgent need for a systematic truck terminal or logistic hub.

Proposed features of the Logistic Park

The envisioned facility is expected to accommodate at least 400 trucks, providing:

•    Rest rooms and washrooms for drivers

•    Drinking water and sanitation facilities

•    A small canteen and repair workshops

•    Emergency medical services

•    Banking counters and container depots

Highlighting the gravity of the issue, Dr Bharath Shetty Y, MLA, said he would raise the matter in the State Assembly to urge the government to prioritize the logistic park project, emphasising its importance for the smooth functioning of industries and port operations along the Udupi-Mangaluru corridor.

Despite the growing demand and safety concerns, the much-needed logistic park continues to remain a non-starter, leaving truckers and commuters grappling with mounting challenges on congested roads.