Parking lots for trucks at Khatkhatti State to buy land in Assam

Imphal, January 19: To make build lots for trucks transporting goods from Assam's Duliajan or Khatkhati to Imphal, the State Government is planning to buy an area of 5 acres (approximately) from the Government of Assam.

According to an official source in Transport Department, the State Government has already proposed the matter to the Assam Government.

A team comprising of the Transport Commissioner, Deputy Director Transport and president of the Truck Owners' Welfare Association will be leaving for Duliajan and Khatkhati for site selection within January 20 .

For the planned land deal, the State Government has been proposing to the Planning Commission to include an amount of Rs 50 lakhs.

During the meeting of the Working Group held at New Delhi from January 15 to 17, Chief Minister O Ibobi put up a proposal for the same amount, conveyed the source.

Although the State Government has asked the Assam Government for five acres, the size of the land that may be purchased from the neighbouring State may be determined only after knowing the price of land during the official team's visit to Duliajan and Khatkhati.

In case, price of land turns to be much higher than expected and the amount proposed to the Planning Commission falls short, the State Government would then somehow buy at least three acres of land on priority basis.

Once the State Government takes over the land, security barracks will be constructed.

Besides developing the land as parking lot for trucks, facilities to enable drivers and helpers cook their food there will also be installed, informed the source.

Moreover, necessary arrangements will also be made so that drivers and helpers can stay together at the parking lot and wait for security convoy to reach Imphal safely at times of bandhs and blockade.

Sometime back, the State Government opened an IRB post at the CRPF camp located at Khatkhati to look after security of Imphal bound trucks there.

But the same IRB post was removed after CRPF objected to the arrangement.

Taking note of the effectiveness of the IRB post opened for a short time there regarding security and safety of transporters, the State Government lobbied with the Assam Government to purchase land for stationing IRB at Khatkhati or Duliajan, added the source.