Kerala - Kochi

Port Trust to levy parking fee

KOCHI: Cochin Port Trust has decided to levy a parking fee on commercial vehicles entering the Port area beyond the toll gates from November 25. Parking fee has become necessary on account of the “prohibitive cost of maintaining the roads that are being used as parking areas by truckers,” said a statement from the Cochin Port Trust here.

However, the proposed parking fee will not be collected for the first six hours of the vehicles entering the Port premises. That is, if the lorries pick up their cargo within six hours and leave the Port premises no parking fee will be imposed.

Any additional stay within the port premises will be chargeable on an hourly basis. This system is also expected to speed up cargo handling operations and avoid unnecessary idling time. For the time being, this new regulatory system will be applicable to commercial vehicles only and there will be no charge on vehicles like cars and two-wheelers.

Meanwhile, the Port Trust has paved the way for meeting a long-standing demand by the Port customers to set up a new lorry parking facility in the Port premises.

A private company, Willingdon Island Parking Yard (P) Ltd, promoted jointly by Cochin Custom House Agents Association, Cochin Steamer Agents Association, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry have been floated for setting up the lorry terminal. The Cochin Port Trust has reached an agreement with the various bodies that are part of the new venture, said the press release.

The lorry terminal will come up in Vathuruthy area on Willingdon Island.

The new facility meets the demand for proper facilities for parking of lorries and amenities for the drivers and other employees of cargo handling lorries.

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