The Hindu Business Line : Mattanchery Wharf caves in to ravages of time and neglect

THE non-implementation of the Ninth Plan schemes suggesting replacement of Mattanchery Wharf seems to have led to the caving in of the Q-4 berth recently.

If the schemes envisaged in the Ninth Plan, which included replacement of Mattanchery Wharf considering its age were taken on time, the recent caving in of one of the berths could have been averted at Kochi Port. A brief note on schemes included in the Ninth Plan had clearly explained the condition of the wharf.

Mattanchery wharf was the first deep drafted wharf constructed in the port more than 50 years ago as a steel sheet piled wharf. The wharf had become very old and the sheet piles and allied structures, which had corroded with age, were not effective as a retaining structure. Therefore it is time the wharf is replaced.

This is more so, especially as the entire Ernakulam Wharf has been converted for container terminal operations by private terminal operators.

It was also recommended that the replacement of Mattanchery Wharf be taken up in stages. A detailed engineering study was conducted by inviting tenders and RITES has submitted its report. A provision of Rs 20 crore was made in the Ninth Plan, which was later increased to Rs 60 crore in the 10th five year to take up the work as first phase.

However, the work could not be taken up due to paucity of funds. Moreover, it is pointed out that the port had more funds earmarked from the Tenth Plan for starting big projects such as the development of the container transhipment terminal project, SBM project and so on.

Mr P. M. Mohammed Haneef, Working President of the Cochin Port Staff Association, pointed out that the management should take steps on a war footing for the renovation of the Mattanchery Wharf for handling bulk and break bulk cargoes. The port, he said has to survive even after the shifting of its container terminal operations to Vallarpadam by the Dubai Ports.

Considering this, adequate infrastructure facilities have to be provided by creating more back up space and warehousing facilities for cargo storage. The port management should also approach various institutions for financial support for the renovation of the wharf as the Board of Trustees has the power to sanction up to Rs 50 crore for any port related projects.

According to Mr Haneef, the concentration on bringing the Vallarpadam project all these years has pushed behind some of the important developmental projects in the port.

The latest victim of such lack-lustre approach is the Mattanchery Wharf, which caved in. He pointed out that recent statistics showed that the growth rate of Kochi Port has been `minus' in the last two years compared to other major ports in the country. The Kolkata Port has gone up to 19 per cent in cargo handling from zero level. Even though a private party is operating the container terminal in Mumbai, the port management is taking serious marketing efforts to attract other cargoes to the port.

Mr Haneef demanded the Union Government to set up a committee to study the problems faced by the Kochi Port and find ways and means for its overall development. If a study in this regard is delayed, he warned that the future of Kochi would be in trouble in the next few years.

It is pointed out that the Mattanchery Wharf is as old as Kochi Port. Lack of proper periodical maintenance has resulted in the collapse of a berth.

The incident has evoked serious concern over the safety of other berths in the wharf. It is said that salt unloaded on the platform got soaked in the heavy rain and because of the increased weight, the berth along with the back up area collapsed into the water.

There were lot of allegations from the trade unions and they cited the hasty unloading of consignments by shipping companies in violation of the Dock Safety Rules as one of the reasons. Ships unload the bulk cargoes in the berth itself and leave as fast as possible. The unloaded cargo is usually left there for a long time before it is moved into godowns.

Refuting the allegations, senior port officials said that such negative remarks would create apprehension in the minds of vessel operators on the operations of the port, especially in handling bulk cargoes. They might even think of diverting their vessels to neighbouring ports.

The officials clarified that the entire wharf is not damaged following the incident and only one of its blockscaved in. The berths in the entire wharf were constructed block by block and it is still possible to handle vessels in other berths.

Following the negative remarks, the officials said that a leading cement company had raised an enquiry into the condition of the berth as they had plans to bring around 50,000 tonnes of coal to the port. If a vessel is diverted, it will result in the loss of revenue to the port. The unions should understand this and make sincere efforts to help the management in attracting cargoes to the port irrespective of the problems faced, the officials added.

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