KARACHI Nov 29: The Hawkesbay truck stand has been in unhygienic conditions because of non-availability of basic facilities since its establishment in 1994, though it contributes million of rupees to the government exchequer.

The CDGK is reportedly generating Rs60 million annually from the parking fee. A truck is charged thirty rupees for parking at the stand from where about 5000 trucks operate daily.

Around 800 goods-carrier terminals and 540 shopkeepers have been facing numerous problems since 1994 when they were shifted by the defunct KMC from the Mauripur truck stand to the Hawkesbay truck stand. There, the stand had been a bone of contention for many years between the city administration t and the truck operators. The truckers did not want to be displaced from the place that was closer to the port. The administration, however, could not tolerate its presence as it was a permanent nuisance for motorists.

During the shifting the authorities concerned had assured the goods carriers and shopkeepers that all the basic facilities would be provided to them. The promised has yet to materialze.

About 540 shops are without electricity and shopkeepers are compelled to use generators. The KMC had paid Rs40 million to the KESC to provide electricity to the stand but a major portion of it is still without electricity, even though KESC official have reportedly carried out six surveys. The shopkeepers have submitted several complaints to the KESC and approached the CDGK in this regard too.

Recently, the CDGK allocated Rs17 million for construction of roads inside the truck stand. However the department concerned has only completed earthwork. Carpeting has stopped for reasons known only to the authorities.

The truck stand has no single road. Goods carriers are operating without roads inside the stand. Sewerage overflows everywhere creating serious health hazards. Trucks often get stranded due to sewerage everywhere inside the stand.

Several meetings were held between the truck association and the CDGK to start the work on a sewerage system, but to no avail.

Anther problem facing the stand is non-availability of water connections which has compelled goods carriers and shopkeepers to buy unhygienic water from the tankers on exorbitant rates. The union leaders have had several futile meetings with the water and sanitation department officials in this regard.

The truck stand has no fire station. The authority concerned has reserved a plot specifically for the purpose, but the construction work of the building has not started. Several fire incidents have been reported.—PPI