The Hindu Business Line : Nagpur pulses importers keen on trade via Vizag port

THE Nagpur-based importers of pulses from Myanmar are interested in bringing their consignments in containers through Visakhapatnam port in preference to Jawaharlal Nehru port afflicted by acute congestion. This was stated at a trade meet organised recently at Nagpur jointly by Visakha Container Terminal Private Ltd (VCTPL) and the Container Corporation of India (Concor), according to VCTPL sources.

At present, about 3,000 TEUs worth of pulses are imported every year to the Nagpur region through JN port. The import through Visakhapatnam port in preference to JN port would entail substantial savings in transit time and therefore cost, it was felt. Visakahapatnam port's container terminal, it was explained at the meeting, was free from congestion and well connected with the hinterland both by road and rail. The tariff too was moderate.

This was the second such meet at Nagpur ever since the new terminal was commissioned in July 2003. There had been a significant improvement in the facilities available at the terminal since then. The railway connectivity right up to the terminal had been established. Also, the modern handling equipment such as rail mounted quay cranes and rubber tyred gantry cranes are now in place.