Chennai to appeal order to shift coal handling to Ennore

A day after the Madras high court ordered the shifting of coal and iron ore handling operations from the Chennai port to the Ennore port, sources in both ports expressed concern over the practical difficulties in implementing it, reported The Times of India.


A senior port official said they could go in for an appeal as the shifting would affect the Chennai port's revenue.


Although Chennai port, a major stakeholder in the Ennore port, will get 50 percent of the revenue generated there, its employees blame the authorities for not bothering to ensure pollution-free coal handling operations at Chennai port.


"Though the high court order insists that the authorities ensure job security of port employees, we are worried about the possible job losses in the near future. The port authorities are to be blamed for not taking action despite several reminders from the high court and other government bodies," said a Chennai Port Trust employee. "The port is going to lose a major source of revenue and the authorities should be answerable," he said.


Chennai Port Trust chairman Atulya Mishra said they would proceed further after studying the court order.


Most of the cargo and consignments are handled by private container terminals at the Chennai port and coal handling was the only operation directly under the control of the port trust.


A senior Ennore port official said it was practically impossible to take over coal operations in a couple of months. "We are yet to establish connectivity and other facilities. We need to develop rail routes for the operations. We have been planning for this shift but never expected an immediate takeover," he said. The Ennore port management was yet to respond officially to the court order, he said.


On the other hand, experts say the shifting of operations from the Chennai port is a necessity considering the population density in the surrounding areas. They also point out that the Ennore port and the Krishnapatnam port, nearly 200km from city, could take over a number of operations from the Chennai port, making the latter pollution-free. The Ennore port will soon commission a mega container terminal to suit most modern vessel operations.


The high court on Wednesday directed the Union shipping ministry to ensure that the Chennai port did not handle dusty cargo like coal and iron ore and that these operations are shifted to Ennore port by October 1, following complaints of pollution from North Chennai residents.
(Source:http://www.cargonewsasia.com)