Pressure is mounting on the Karnataka government to establish additional truck terminals in Mysuru, as the city's rapid industrial expansion, second only to Bengaluru, overwhelms the existing solitary facility. Stakeholders, including transport associations and industrial bodies, highlight a critical infrastructure gap causing traffic chaos and safety issues.
Inadequate Facilities at Existing Terminal
Despite the state government developing the D Devaraj Urs Truck Terminal at Bandipalya, off the Outer Ring Road (ORR), the site has proven insufficient. Built on 17.5 acres, it can park only about 200 trucks. Truckers have complained about the lack of basic amenities like toilets and rest rooms. Even a constructed canteen room remains non-functional, offering no service to drivers. The terminal's premises are poorly maintained, with weeds and bushes growing unchecked.
Daily Gridlock and Rising Demand
The core of the problem lies in Mysuru's industrial surge. Officials and transporters confirm that the city now receives more than 800 heavy trucks daily for loading and unloading operations across six major industrial areas. With no dedicated parking inside these zones, drivers are forced to park on roadsides, leading to significant traffic congestion and raising safety concerns.
Treasurer of the Hebbal Industrialists' Association, N Channakeshava, emphasized the urgency, stating that the rampant roadside parking in areas like Hebbal and Metagalli necessitates at least two new terminals on the city's outskirts. This demand is echoed by Mysuru District Lorry Owners' Association president B Kodanandaramu, who revealed that a memorandum has been submitted to State Transport Minister R Ramalinga Reddy for two new terminals, as daily truck arrivals range between 800 and 1,000.
Call for Land and Modern Infrastructure
The Mysuru District Small Scale Industries Association has also stepped in. Its general secretary, Sureshkumar Jain, noted that with over 26,000 to 32,000 minor and major industries operating in the region, expansion is constant. The association has requested the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), district administration, and Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) to allocate 20 acres of land near Hebbal or Metagalli for a new, dedicated truck terminal with modern facilities.
Responding to the growing outcry, MCC commissioner Syed Asif Tanveer told TOI that the corporation is taking initial steps to improve the existing terminal by constructing toilets and restrooms. More significantly, he confirmed that a detailed project report will be sent for the planned development of Greater Mysuru, which includes proposals for sanctioning land and establishing another truck terminal. This move aligns with the state government's notification for the constitution of the Greater Mysuru City Corporation.
While proposals are under discussion, stakeholders await concrete action to ease the immense pressure on Mysuru's logistics infrastructure and support its continued growth as a major industrial hub.
