Chairman of the Chennai Port Trust Atulya Misra has appealed to the traders to co-operate in easing the congestion at the port.
In a statement here, he said an average of 4,500 to 5,000 vehicles move to and from the port through various gates. The inventory of 18,500 TEUs export and import containers stacked in both the terminals was against the total yard capacity of around 27,340 TEUs. Therefore, he has advised the trade not to restrict receiving of export boxes but “to act in a balanced manner” to clear the backlog of the import boxes.
He contended that the stock do piled up on account of a few flash strikes caused by the truck drivers and cleaners' association.
Spelling out the various steps that he has initiated to decongest the city roads, he said the port had taken action to develop the Thiruvottiyur Parking Yard to park around 500 trucks. However, as there is poor response for the tenders floated, the chairman has advised the terminal operators to collectively develop the yard. “But no positive response is forthcoming from both the container terminal operators.”
Mr. Misra said that the development of the Ennore Manali Road Improvement Project (EMRIP) work had already started. Steps had been taken for provision of six lanes in the ‘O' gate after the completion of the EMRIP. Further, the work for the elevated corridor from the port to Maduravoyyal had also started.
The 2A Gate had been opened for the free flow of the trailer movement to decongest the traffic in ‘O' Gate. Discussions were on with the Southern Railway to open Gate No 5 during night hours for entry and exit of the vehicles.
“Till the completion of all these projects, all the trade bodies are requested to co-operate with the port in managing the situation and to achieve the goal ahead of us without bunching exit of import container trailers.”
Close watch
Besides, Mr. Misra has requested the chambers of commerce to have a close watch over the situation saying that he would call a meeting once a fortnight to review the situation and chalk out remedial measures.
