Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran has invited owners of goods transport vehicles, including container carriers serving the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal, for discussions on the fallout of the new Motor Vehicles Act and owners’ grievances.
The talks are being held in the backdrop of container carrier owners in Kochi expressing dismay over the adverse impact of the new rule on goods movement to and from the container terminal, which imposes heavy fines for overloading carriers.
Burden on business
The discussions are expected to focus on what the State government could do to reduce the burden on transport business once the new Act is implemented, said Charles George, speaking for Trade Union Coordination Committee and Container Monitoring Group, both representing the interests of around 2,000 container carriers.
High transport cost
Mr. George added that the current practice of carrying loads had helped in bringing down transport cost.
But if the new rule is enacted, vehicle owners will end up paying between ₹30,000 and ₹50,000 per trip.
The 10-tyre 20-foot container carriers carry around 35 tonnes of goods, whereas they are allowed to carry only 25 tonnes per trip. This will invite a fine of ₹38,000, Mr. George said.
The first extra tonne will be fined ₹20,000 and the remaining extra tonnes will be fined ₹2,000 each.
However, the situation is such that containers arrive in specific weight. For instance, tiles, a major commodity that arrive in Kochi by coastal transport from States like Gujarat, come in weighing around 39 tonnes. Cashew being transported mostly to Kollam come in containers weighing 31 tonnes and reefer containers, generally 40-foot long, come weighing around 35 tonnes.
More containers
The container terminal handles vast quantities of heavy items like tiles, cement, clay, and rice, and the specifications under the new Motor Vehicles Act will require more containers being used to transport goods.
This in turn will increase the cost for consumers. Mr. George said even rice for public distribution might end up costing ₹1 extra owing to the use of extra container carriers.
