The Hindu Business Line : Kandla port looks to beef up security level

Ahmedabad, Dec. 5 In order to ward off any possible terror attack, Kandla port, one of the most important Indian ports, has increased its security level to ‘two’. It is taking expert advice to beef it up further and asked the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which manages the security detail of the port, to take every step in the book to protect the international port from attacks.

“Being certified under the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code, we are going to meet all its requirements as per the global port security standards at the earliest,” Mr M.A. Bhaskarachar, Deputy Chairman, told Business Line.

Apart from installing 16 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to record human and material movement in the waterfront and port area, the Kandla Port has now urged the CISF to arrange bomb disposal squads and electronic weapons detectors at the earliest.

The port is also going to have its own sniffer dog squad and speed boats to constantly patrol the port area in the Gulf of Kutch overlooking it. One of these speed boats has already arrived and the other would be coming next week, he said. All cargo vessels reporting to the port are being thoroughly examined by the CISF, customs and the port guards.

In order to make the security arrangements foolproof, Mr Bhaskarachar said, the port is also taking advice from experts and holding a meeting in this regard on December 20 for top level review of the measures.

Growth chart

The port, which achieved 50.85 million tonnes (mt) throughput today, almost 20 per cent more than a year ago this day (42.74 mt), is expected to finish the fiscal 2009-10 with 70 mt by March 31, 2009. This would make Kandla the number one port in India in terms of the growth rate, absolute growth and total cargo handling.

Asked about the proposed SEZ in the Kandla port area, he said certain approvals are awaited, after which work would be speeded up. The port is coordinating with the State in this regard. Meanwhile, with a view to redress the problems faced by the trade, KPT has also set up a Customer Relations Cell. This would felicitate the trade to carryout import and export activities at the port smoothly, with the aim of attracting new cargo in large volumes.

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