Date:23/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/23/stories/2008122359020300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Truckers oppose move to shift parking lot

Staff Reporter

Hyderabad: Truck and mini-lorry drivers along with trailer-owners on Monday staged a demonstration at the Kukatpally truck parking lot demanding the government to withdraw its plans of shifting the parking lot.

Under the banner of Greater Hyderabad Truck, Mini-truck, Local lorry and Trailer Owners Co-ordination Committee, over 500 truck drivers and owners gathered at the parking lot and raised slogans against the government, said committee convenor, K. Rajeshwar Rao in a press release.

Apart from truck parking lots at Malakpet and Nampally, the 18-acre parking area opposite Metro Supermarket at Kukatpally is the only major facility available free of cost for truck drivers and private bus operators in twin cities.

The parking lot is located strategically and is convenient for truck drivers to park their vehicles for unloading stocks at the Moosapet Goods shed. Everyday scores of trucks and buses from other districts and States use this parking lot, he informed.

A.P. Lorry Owners Association president, P. Gopala Naidu criticised the government plans to shift the parking lot from the existing place to another location on the city outskirts.

It was a conspiracy by the government to vacate the parking space and allot it to private parties on lease for commercial activity, he said.

The free parking lot was being used for the last three decades.