The Hindu Business Line : Kakinada port sailing in troubled waters

THE Kakinada port is passing through difficult times , what with the raging controversy over the proposed ship-breaking units, on the one hand, and the tussle between the old anchorage and the deepwater ports over cargo diversion, on the other, complicated by inter-union rivalries.

The situation took a serious turn on September 16 when a Chinese ship that was to load iron ore was not allowed into the deepwater port by the workers who blockaded the Kakinada channel with barges. The impasse continued for two days and, finally, the workers were persuaded to remove the obstruction. The Chinese ship was partially loaded at the deepwater port, before allowed to sail to Visakhapatnam. The incident, that was a loss of face for the port, forced the Andhra Pradesh government to appoint a Cabinet sub-committee with three ministers to go into the issues relating to the Kakinada port.

Mr G. Surya Rao, State Anumal Husbandry Minister and one of the members of the sub-committee, said the sub-committee would meet at Kakinada or Rajahmundry on September 30 to find a solution to these issues.

``The State government is committed to protecting the interests of the old port workers. There is no room for any apprehension on that count. However, we have to take up the development of the new port with a balanced view. We shall strive to find a mutually-acceptable solution.''

But this is easier said than done. If the old port suffers in the process of developing the new one, some 10,000 traditional fishermen would be be affected. Therefore, unless new cargoes can be assured for the new port, away from the traditional ones reserved for the old facility, the issue is not likely to be settled.

There are no alternative employment opportunities to absorb the workforce of the old port in the event of any displacement.

If allowed ship-breaking , would absorb some of the workers, as it is a labour-intensive industry. But the fishermen themselves are opposed to ship-breaking as they fear large-scale eco-damage that can affect catch.

The Cabinet sub-committee has quite a task on its hands when it meets on September 30.