The Hindu Business Line : Trailer operators’ strike hits Chennai container traffic

Chennai, Dec. 23 Container movement has been hit since Friday following an indefinite strike called by trailer operators protesting the delay in executing the Chennai-Ennore road connectivity project.

As of this morning, around 6,400 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent unit) — 4,100 import and 2,300 export — were waiting to be moved out at the private container terminal operated by Dubai-based DP World. The terminal, which normally has an inventory of around 3,000 boxes, has a yard capacity of around 10,000 boxes, according to sources.

If the strike continues for a couple of days more, there is a possibility that container ships may be diverted to Tuticorin, the sources said.

Call for attention

A leading trailer operator said around 5,000 vehicles operating at the container terminal were on strike from the night of December 19. Trucks were also not plying in north Chennai, a major industrial belt, for the last three days.

“Why does the government focus only on South Chennai and neglect north Chennai? We have been fighting for the road project for a long time,” the operator said. The Chennai-Ennore connectivity road project was conceived over ten years ago, but is yet to be completed, he said.

The road connecting the port’s northern gate, which passes through the Chennai fishing harbour, is being upgraded under the road connectivity project. The shore protection work has been completed and about 80,000-sq m land has been reclaimed along the Ennore coast, which was in the past severely affected by sea erosion.

Project cost

The cost of the project has increased by 74 per cent due to factors such as increase in the cost of land acquisition, resettlement and raw materials. The project to improve movement of cargo to and from Chennai port is likely to be completed by 2011 instead of 2008-end.

The revised project cost is now Rs 537 crore, against Rs 309 crore earmarked in 2000. The project was originally conceptualised in 1998 at a cost of Rs 150 crore, according to sources.

The Chennai Port Trust is one of the partners of the special purpose vehicle called Chennai-Ennore Port Road Company Ltd, along with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Tamil Nadu Government. This project is part of the Government’s plan to improving port connectivity of Chennai port with the State/National highway network.

More Stories on : Shipping/Ports | Roadways | Tamil Nadu

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