KOCHI: The standoff between the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) and the Container trailer operators with regard to the parking fee imposed by the port continued for the fifth day on Saturday, as the discussion held to break the deadlock failed yesterday.
The container trailer operators had held a discussion with the Port Trust authorities to find out a solution to the issue, but the discussion ended inconclusive, port sources said. Port has stuck to its stand that container trailers parked in the port pr emises for more than six hours should pay the stipulated parking fee- Rs 15 per hour for 40-foot containers and Rs 10 per hour for 20 foot containers.
The trailer operators called off their services on last Tuesday in protest against the imposition of the parking fee. The truck parking terminal built in the 5.5 acre land at Willingdon Island was to provide better facilities for the truckers and it was a long standing demand of the stakeholders, the sources said.
The parking fees was collected because of the increase in the cost of the maintenance of the roads which are being used as parking areas by the truckers, they said. Meanwhile, Mr P Ramachandran, President, Island Container Carriers Owners Association, sa id the newly introduced parking fees have put the container owners in difficulties.
Mr Ramachandran said they should not be penalised for the delays in loading and unloading operations. He also refuted the allegation that the haphazard parking of container trailers and the presence of unauthorised vehicles were posing a security threat.
Mr Ramachandran urged the port authorities to reconsider their decision to impose parking fees since transport industry is facing problems due to global recession. - PTI
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