Bhubaneswar: The transport department has urged the police housing and welfare corporation to accelerate the construction of truck terminals in the state, apparently voicing concern over the slow pace of work.Out of 30 planned truck terminals in various districts, 23 are being executed by the police housing corporation. These facilities are intended to curb unauthorized parking of heavy vehicles along highways and reduce accident risks. Currently, truck drivers often park haphazardly on state and national highways, creating hazardous conditions that frequently lead to accidents.Transport secretary N B S Rajput last week wrote to the corporation, setting strict deadlines for early completion. “The truck terminal at Kendrapara should be completed and handed over to this department by April 30,” Rajput stated.His other key directives include completion of boundary wall and land leveling at Lakhananath in Balasore by June 15; submission of plans and estimates for terminals at Panchapada and Talapatia (Jharsuguda) and Narayanpur (Bhadrak) within the stipulated timeline. He also laid stress on preparation of a revised estimate for the proposed terminal at Kalinga in Kandhamal.The transport department has sought immediate commencement of construction at Kuanrmunda in Sundargarh district. Rajput’s letter noted inadequate effort by field-level officials of the corporation. “It has been observed that the field-level officials of police housing corporation are not making adequate efforts towards timely execution of the project,” the letter highlighted.During a March 23 review meeting, corporation representatives claimed law-and-order issues had stalled work at Kuanrmunda. However, the Sundargarh district administration confirmed no such problems existed, and the corporation was advised to begin work without delay, coordinating with the district administration if necessary.“In view of the above, you are requested to take necessary steps for strict compliance with the decisions taken during the meeting, so that the truck terminals can be made operational at the earliest,” Rajput emphasized.On Jan 20 last year, the transport department partnered with the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) to select agencies under operation and maintenance (O&M) and design, build, operate, transfer (DBOT) models.Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) was selected for six locations in the initial phases. “IOCL has proposed taking over the remaining sites via direct nomination/negotiation as a consolidated package to balance viable and non-viable locations. IOCL has requested a 30-year long-term “leave and license” agreement for the fuel stations, contrasting with the standard 10-year (O&M) and 15-year (DBOT) periods currently offered,” a transport official said.
