The Hindu Business Line : Concor Balasore ICD idling on lack of traffic

IT is more than seven years since the Container Corporation of India (Concor) readied an inland container depot (ICD) at Balasore in Orissa for operation but the outfit has remained virtually idle since then.

The reason: dearth of traffic. Spread over an area of more than 20 acres and built at cost of about Rs 5 crore, Concor's Balasore ICD has failed to attract traffic to any significant extent.

In the past seven years or so, according to informed sources, the ICD handled only a couple of rakes of calcined petro coke for domestic outward movement. Only recently did it start handling limited quantities of containers arriving from the southern region. However, the railways sources are not sure if this flow will sustain.

What has been particularly upsetting is that the ICD has not handled any international cargo, either imports or exports, so far. There have been discussions from time to time to explore the possibility of routing a portion of the traffic to and from Paradip port through the ICD but the matter remained only at that level.

The Balasore ICD was conceived in the early 1990s when several industrial units were coming up in and around the region. An ICD there, it was felt, would be of great help to the upcoming units. IDCOL, the Orissa Government's promotional agency, provided the land on lease. Around 1996-97, the ICD was ready for operation but there was hardly any traffic. Most of the industrial units in the region failed to take off.

Concor, it appears, is not concerned either over the future of Balasore ICD. From time to time there have been discussions, mostly casual, nothing serious, as to how best the facility could be utilised. There has been even suggestions to convert it into a sort of resort as Chandipur-on sea, a seaside town not far from Balasore, is visited by a number of tourists throughout the year. Nothing has happened.

More Stories on : Shipping | Supply Chain Management

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Naresh Chandra panel for unbundling AAI

Traffic hits a plateau in Gulf sector, says Air India chief

Foreign airline stake in domestic carriers at a `later date'

Jet `Check-fare' scheme in 9 more sectors

Export council seeks permanent solution to congestion at JN port

Concor Balasore ICD idling on lack of traffic

AP Govt to go slow on helmet rule

Special package for APSRTC on anvil