The Hindu Business Line : ECR, S-E Rly halt loading for Paradip port

Since May 20, when the power supply to the port was first disrupted, an estimated 20 rakes loaded with iron ore for exports through Paradip port have been detained at different points in the circuit.

Kolkata May 25 Both East Coast Railway and South Eastern Railway have clamped restrictions on the loading as well as movement of wagons for Paradip port in view of the suspension of operations at the port.

The non-availability of electricity, caused by the collapse of high-voltage transmission towers in a storm, has left the port virtually crippled for the past few days.

Normally, East Coast Railway loads about 10.5 rakes of coal, iron ore and other materials for Paradip port and backloads about four rakes from there every day. Similarly, South Eastern Railway loads about 4.5 rakes (mainly iron ore) for the port and backloads three rakes a day.

According to Railways sources, since May 20, when the power supply to the port was first disrupted, an estimated 20 rakes loaded with iron ore for exports through Paradip port have been detained at different points in the circuit. Another 10 to 12 rakes loaded with thermal coal for coastal shipments to Ennore to meet the requirements of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board too have been stopped at various points between Talcher mines (Mahanadi Coalfields) and the port.

Diverted to Simadri

A spokesman for East Coast Railway told Business Line that some of the thermal coal rakes, earlier earmarked for Paradip for coastal shipments of the coal to Tamil Nadu, were now being diverted to Simadri to meet the requirement of National Thermal Power Corporation's unit there. Subject to the consent of the exporters, a few iron ore rakes too might be diverted to Visakhapatnam port.

The non-arrival of rakes at Paradip has hit the back-loading of coking coal, power grade coal and several other imported minerals. The back-loading has dropped to three rakes a day now as manual loading is the only option left. There are now seven rakes - three with thermal coal for coastal shipments and four others with iron ore for exports - are stranded at different points within the port areas. Without electricity, these rakes, suited for mechanical handling, cannot be unloaded.

Meanwhile, the queue of ships waiting for berths at the port lengthens. The situation, it is feared, might worsen in next few days when more than 30 ships are due to arrive.

The stalemate at Paradip, it is felt, might also hit Haldia because some of the ships coming to Paradip also call at Haldia for loading/unloading as part of the two port operation system.