Chennai port to attract more pollution free-cargo for revenue

CHENNAI: It is time for the Chennai Port Trust to look at ways to attract fresh cargo and maintain the revenue inflow. Coal-handling operations, a mainstay of the port, were stopped on October 1 following the Madras high court order in May asking that the operations be shifted to Ennore port.
Chennai Port Trust chairman Atulya Mishra, however, said a review petition seeking a stay on continuing coal-handling operations had been filed."As Ennore is yet to be ready for handling coal, the operations need to be maintained here. We expect a favourable verdict from the court. Otherwise, we will have to try and attract new cargo and trade," he said.
The operations were ordered to be shifted to Ennore port after several petitions were filled by residential associations in Tondiarpet and Royapuram. Later, the court also took suo motu notice of the pollution caused by coal and iron ore handling at the port.
Madras Port Trust Employees Union general secretary G M Krishnamurthy said coal-handling should remain at Chennai. "It was a major source of revenue and the livelihood of nearly 2,000 employees directly involved in the operations. Simultaneously, steps should be taken to attract dust-free cargo that was forced to leave Chennai," he added.
With most of the cargo and consignments being handled by private terminals, coal handling was the only operation directly under the Chennai port. The management estimates it will face a financial burden of Rs 214 crore if it retains nearly 1,500 employees who were engaged at the coal-handling facility.
The employees union also wants operations of Container Freight Stations (CFS) to be started inside the port. "Currently, containers are taken to different CFSs in north Chennai, leading to traffic congestion and delays in export-import operations. We have trained men and all those who were into coal handling can be used for operating these stations. Starting CFSs inside the port will help ensure smooth cargo operations and also bring in revenue," said Krishnamurthy.
A section of the management is reportedly not happy with the decision to go for a review petition in the HC instead of an appeal in the Supreme Court. The Ennore Port, 20 km away, shares 50% of the revenue with Chennai Port Trust. "We are not able to take up coal-handling operations currently as it needs more infrastructure and rail connectivity," said a senior Ennore Port official.