MbPT won’t shift operations from Mumbai, assures Gadkari

The opposition parties in Maharashtra and the Shiv Sena too had raised the issue of MbPT scaling down operations causing losses to the state even as Gujarat’s Kandla port raked in additional business. Gadkari told the assembled MbPT employees at Pir Pau that the government is steadfast in its resolve to improve conditions for them. “We are expanding with an estimated profit of Rs 6000 crore in 12 major ports and three shipping corporations across the country,” he said.

Commenting on pollution, Gadkari said since the MbPT is a port within a city like Mumbai, the responsibility of minimising water and air pollution lies on them. “The pollution level of the city is on a serious rise. The traffic caused by trucks transferring cargo lining the city’s roads is also a continuing issue. We cannot allow the handling of coal through trucks in the city because its dust could cause major damage to its citizens,” he said.

The MbPT had been barred from handling coal by a Bombay High Court order. Officials of the Port Trust claimed that they had shifted all operations of coal handling from the city to another port and have also asked contractors to clear the remaining area some of which is stuck in litigation.

On Wednesday, the minister inspected the second liquid chemical berth and set it open for operations.
With this berth, the capacity will increase from 2 million metric tonnes to 4.5 million metric tonnes. An official said that an old jetty which is in operation may have to be shut in the coming years with the construction of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link which may pass through it. “The chemical berth will improve the turnaround time of shops and will eventually reduce cost of the trade,” said Ravi Parmar, chairman of MbPT.

Officials said currently many ships have to queue up at the anchorage to transfer chemical cargo. The berth will ensure a faster transfer of LPG and other cargo to the five refineries which function near the port.