In yet another move towards easing congestion, Chennai Port Trust (ChPT) authorities are probing ways to initiate action against erring transporters for entering the Ernavur junction without valid documents.
The initiative will be tried out from September 10 in association with terminal operators, Customs and traffic police. Though the junction is about nine km from the ChPT zero gate, it usually takes more than 24-hours to reach the main entrance.
On any given day, ChPT receives over 1,500 laden containers. As it is a narrow road, the trucks are seen stranded up to Ernavur and, during congestion, it gets extended up to Manali or the Madhavaram junction.
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While awaiting their agents to bring the documents and port entry pass, the lorry drivers and cleaners bathe, wash clothes, clean their vehicles and cook on the road.
A meeting with the stakeholders was held on Monday, in which it was decided to allow vehicles that had valid documents, while the rest would be sent back. Transporters who evade the Ernavur checkpoint would be asked to park their vehicles at the Tiruvottiyur parking yard.
To distinguish erring transporters from others, stickers would be issued at the checkpoint.
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A ChPT official told The Hindu that they were working out modalities with the Highways Secretary to find ways for easing congestion outside the port premises and on the highways.
As port officials could not stop the vehicles that did not have proper documents, the help of the traffic police would be sought to send them back. The ChPT would also seek the help of authorities for penalising the erring transporters.
Port users said that steps should be initiated by the Corporation and ChPT to fully equip the Tiruvottiyur parking yard with basic infrastructural facilities to receive trailers and laden containers.
Failure to do so would force transporters to park the vehicles in a haphazard manner on the main road, defeating the very purpose of the yard.