The unorganised strike by a group of drivers of lorries and trailers at the Chennai Port Trust (ChPT) created a difficult situation on Monday with inventories of imported containers touching an all-time high of over 13,400. On day four of the strike, the operator of the first container terminal cleared 900 export containers stacked inside the port while lorries and trailers were stranded up to Annai Sivakami Nagar in Ennore, affecting the normal life of local people, office-goers and schoolchildren.
Dealers of fruits and vegetables and seafood products expressed dismay as the products had perished owing to lack of refrigeration facilities. The loss caused by the strike has been put at several lakhs of rupees.
Since Sunday, ChPT officials held several rounds of discussions with the representatives of drivers, cleaners and Transport Owners Associations but the stalemate continues.
Asai Thambi of the Anna Labour Union said that the drivers were demanding opening of more gates to restore normality and protection for them. They wanted gate 2A kept open all 24 hours for the exit of laden containers. If the demands were not conceded they would continue the strike. Talking to The Hindu , a ChPT official said: “It is a very bad situation. Stocks have piled up inside the port to a record level and trailers are stranded on the road forming a serpentine queue. We have been trying to ease the situation since Saturday but the drivers are adamant in their stand. Gate 2A can be opened for traffic only at night. Also, we have to obtain permission from the Chief Secretary and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic).” “In the last five years, container volume has increased 25 per cent on Compounded Annual Growth Rate basis and the number of vehicles several fold. Only one gate is used for entry and exit. Why can't the authorities take steps to develop the infrastructural facilities in tune with the growing trade,” asked a Chennai Trade Co-ordination Committee member. Speaker D. Jayakumar, who was apprised of the situation, said, “I have asked them to write to the DCP Traffic for opening gate 2A.” ChPT Chairman Atulya Misra held discussions with Home Secretary Rameshram Mishra on opening of gate 2A.
