Import and export activities at Chennai Port Trust (ChPT) have come to a grinding halt since Friday night owing to a clash between a port employee and truck driver. Truck drivers have gone on a strike in protest, but ChPT officials termed the stir an ‘unorganised' one.
According to trade sources, it might take at least a week to clear the traffic congestion as DP World, the operators of Chennai Container Terminal, has been struggling for the last two months to clear the import boxes because of a flash strike called by the transport operators in June.
It all began with a ChPT employee trying to enter the premises on Friday when he noticed a truck irregularly parked. The argument with the truck driver led to the employee punching the driver on the face, with the help of his friends, who were not associated with ChPT. Immediately, the drivers ganged up and suspended movement of trucks and containers. As a result, containers have now lined up to Ernavur junction, about nine km from the Zero gate.
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Demand for apology
Representatives of trailers and lorry owners said they would resume their work only after getting an unconditional apology from the employee.
The stalemate continued until Saturday evening, as the ChPT officials maintained that they had nothing to do with the ‘unorganised' strike. Terminal operators also took the same stand.
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Asai Thambi of Anna Labour Union told The Hindu : “Today, we had a meeting with ChPT officials during which they apologised on behalf of the employee and said a departmental inquiry would be conducted against the offender. We have also filed complaints against him under three sections. We hope the drivers will resume work on Monday morning and it would take at least a week to clear the backlog.”
More gates, parking slots sought
However, trade sources had a different view on the whole scenario. “People are fed up with the congestion, long queues and the time taken to enter or exit the port. They vent their ire by hitting someone. The entire situation can be brought under control by opening more gates, widening existing roads and creating parking slots. However, ChPT is going slow on these issues for unknown reasons. Who else can be blamed for the current mess?” they asked.
“If it is an organised strike, we can have a chat with them to solve the issues. We don't know who is behind it. These are things outside our control and hence ChPT officials should do something,” said a Chennai Trade Co-ordination Committee member.