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An x-ray machine to scan cargo in containers will be soon be installed at the Chennai port. A similar machine is in place in Nhava Sheva for the last ten years, said a senior official of the Chennai Customs without giving the exact date of installation.
A truck loaded with containerised cargo just need to pass through the huge machine, which will scan for any suspicious cargo. Such a machine is available at many global ports.
The need for such a scanner at all major ports was initiated by the Government to increase security. The scanner, which will be the latest and most advanced in the world, claimed the official, will cost nearly Rs 60 crore. Only Japan has installed two such scanners, Mr S. Kannan, Commissioner of Customs (Exports), Chennai, told newspersons without giving more details.
Ms Mala Srivastava, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Chennai, said that a container scanner is already in place at Nhava Sheva. On a random basis, the Customs department scans 12-15 per cent of containers at Nhava Sheva, she said.
The scanner will help the department in effective checking of the contents. At present, a department official, when suspicious of the content, opens the container for inspection. For instance, if an importer says in the document that the content in a container was scrap but actually it could be steel sheets, which will be now found while scanning the container than opening the box, she said.
According to an official of a leading Customs House Agency, a lot of containerised cargo originates from Chennai to the US. A few years ago, the US government wanted all the major ports from where cargo is shipped to the US to have a scanner in place to ensure that the cargo is safe to enter the US ports. The installation of the scanner will also solve requirement of the US regulation, said the official on condition of anonymity.
The Chennai Port, through the two private container terminals operated by global players, DP World Chennai and PSA International, handles over 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units annually.
On target
On the revenue collection at the Chennai Customs, Ms Srivastava said the department was on target to achieve the target of Rs 27,005 crore, which was set by the Centre, for the financial year ending March 31, 2012. Till October, the collection was in excess of 20 per cent when compared with the corresponding period of last year, she said.
Last financial year, the Chennai Customs House achieved a revenue collection of Rs 22,000 crore, she said.
The congestion problem at the container terminal in Chennai did not have any effect on the collection, she said.
Trade's plea
Mr S. Vijaykumar, President, Chennai Customs House Agents Association, urged the Customs department that all problems, including software glitches, related to the migration to Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange System Version 1.5 is sorted out.
At a meeting, the association members had a detailed discussion with the Chief Commissioner on various problems, including the migration, and simplification of procedures at the Chennai Customs, he said.
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