The Hindu Business Line : Baalu to discuss JN port congestion

THE problem of congestion that has been dogging Jawaharlal Nehru Port for the last several weeks will dominate the discussions on Thursday between the Union Minister of Shipping, Mr T.R. Baalu, and port officials.

The Minister, who is making his maiden visit to Mumbai after taking charge, is expected to have detailed discussions with port officials, port users and trade representatives.

With the Commerce Ministry having taken up the issue of congestion with the Shipping Ministry, Mr Baalu has attached prime priority to ease the problem before it creates a serious dent on India's export-import trade.

Incidentally, the second meeting of the task force, constituted by the Commerce Ministry to suggest immediate and long-term measures to tackle congestion, is scheduled on Thursday.

The Minister is scheduled to make an on-the-spot study of the congestion that is clogging the two terminals at JNPT, one operated by the port and the other, the Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal, by P&O Ports.

However, according to port sources, the congestion has significantly eased since it touched its peak last month, when the number of containers at both the terminals almost touched the 20,000-mark.

Currently, the pendency has eased to a "manageable level" of about 13,000 boxes, in the wake of a string of measures implemented after the first meeting of the task force, headed by the JNPT Chairman, Mr Ravi Budhiraja.

On the second day of his stay in Mumbai on Friday, the Minister is scheduled to have a meeting with port users and trade representatives to get their feedback on the Maritime Draft Policy pencilled by the Ministry. The discussion on the draft policy assumes significance as it envisages integrated development of ports, shipping and inland water transport.

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