The Bhubaneswar Goods Transport Association (BGTA) on Monday urged the State Government to take proactive measures to solve their various longstanding demands, including setting up of a Transport Nagar in the Capital city.
Association president Niranjan Praharaj told mediapersons here that despite several representations and appeals to the Government regarding establishment of a transport hub for trucks, nothing tangible happened as yet.
Truck transport is the second important area next to agriculture where a single truck provides employment to nearly eight persons directly or indirectly. But both the Union and State Governments are not concerned about our problems and instead, are busy in imposing various rules and regulations on truck transport, lamented Praharaj.
“While almost all the States have their own dedicated Transport Nagars, the State Government here is yet to identify a suitable place for the purpose,” said Praharaj, urging the Government to immediately construct the facility and name it after former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik.
The association also demanded reduction in diesel prices, toll gate charges and solution of parking problems in the city.
“We urged the State Government to proactively initiate step to establish the Transport Nagar by January 14, lest an indefinite strike by the Odisha Truck Owners’ Federation to be held from January 15 would be intensified,” warned association vice president Sangram Das.