By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The truck parking lot near Jhalupara has become a hot-spot for nefarious nocturnal activities giving rise to public outcry.
Residents near the parking lot have expressed their concern over the anti-social activities which often happen under the cover of darkness. Drunken brawls, noise pollution and incidents of snatching are a regular thing.
The parking lot created for the benefit of the long- distance trucks has proved to be a sore point for Jhalupara.
The local residents have complained that the truckers add insult to injury by openly easing themselves openly in full public gaze.
In the absence of any public toilet, the truckers use the open space for responding to nature’s call.
The absence of proper lighting in the parking has also raised serious questions on the security of nearby residents who have to walk through the parking lot especially at night.
Taking strong cognizance of the menace, local legislator Manas Chaudhuri inspected the parking lot on Friday after receiving complaints from the locality.
Later while speaking to The Shillong Times, Chaudhuri stated that the he had approached the Director of Urban Affairs department with a plea to look into the matter but the department till date has failed to respond.
“If they cannot take care of the dignity of the residents, the department should close it down,” Chaudhuri told The Shillong Times on Friday after the inspection.
When contacted, Urban Affairs minister Ampareen Lyngdoh assured that the she will immediately look into the matter.
“We will not tolerate any nonsense and I will take up the matter with my officers,” Lyngdoh said.
The minister also stated that she would soon visit and inspect the parking lot by herself.