The Hindu Business Line : Iron ore cargo handling back to normal at NMPT

Activities related to iron ore cargo handling returned to normal at New Mangalore Port (NMPT) on Friday, with the port authorities allowing the entry of lorries carrying iron ore cargo into the port premises.

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) had recently banned transportation of iron ore cargo within the port premises.

In a notification dated July 26, the KSPCB had prohibited the storage and transportation of iron ore within the port premises till September 15.

Subsequently, it permitted shipment of the iron ore within the stackyard of the port.

Following this, the port authorities had filed a representation with the board.

The KSPCB lifted the ban on July 31 with certain conditions. Soon after the withdrawal of the ban, the NMPT Chairman convened a meeting with port users to implement the conditions stipulated by the KSPCB.

Sources in the shipping sector told Business Line that the Chairman of the NMPT held another meeting with the port users on Friday morning to review the implementation of the KSPCB conditions.

"The NMPT Chairman allowed normal operations of iron ore cargo within the port premises at 1 p.m. on Friday. Now, iron ore lorries are allowed into the port premises," a source said.

While the KSPCB ban was in force at the port, the administration of the neighbouring Udupi district banned the entry of overloaded iron ore lorries into the district.

Following this, nearly 1,000 lorries were left stranded at Shiroor, a border town in Udupi district. On Thursday, the Udupi district administration allowed those lorries to reach NMPT.