Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
India

Committed to boost container availability, reduce congestion at ports: Piyush Goyal

Darpan News Desk IANS, 19 Sep, 2024 11:13 AM
  • Committed to boost container availability, reduce congestion at ports: Piyush Goyal

New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) The government is committed to improving the availability of containers, faster evacuation of export consignments, and reducing congestion at the ports, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, said on Thursday.

Chairing an inter-ministerial meeting to address issues related to rising freight costs, shipping delays, shortage and non-availability of containers and congestion at the ports, the minister said the decisions taken by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ministry of Railways will result in successfully addressing these issues.

Minister Goyal said that the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has decided to allow empty containers to be stored for a period of 90 days in the yard at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) free of cost and has also slashed the loading and handling charges significantly.

JNPT Chairman Unmesh Sharad Wagh assured that steps have already been taken to eliminate any congestion and bottlenecks.

To enhance export-related processes, traffic delays near and around the JNPA will be minimised and simultaneous container scanning at the port will be implemented for faster clearances and reduced turnaround time.

According to Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar, the charges of Rs 3,000 that are being levied beyond 90 days, are now reduced to Rs 1,500. Further, the storage and handling rates will be reduced for containers from Rs 9,000 to Rs 2,000 (for a 40-feet container) and from Rs 6,000 to Rs 1,000 (for a 20-feet container).

The Commerce Minister urged all stakeholders to make concerted efforts to significantly mitigate the difficulties and address the issues faced by the exporters. Goyal emphasised that due to the current geopolitical tensions, Red Sea Crisis, Houthi operations, ongoing wars and its impact on international trade, there was a need to engage with a multidisciplinary team.

During the meeting, the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) announced that on an immediate basis, capacity will be enhanced by 9,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The SCI will also buy an additional five container ships to further enhance cargo handling capacity. The shipping lines assured that all charges like container transportation and Lift on-Lift off at yards would be embedded in the delivery order given to shippers.

According to Secretary, Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shipping, T.K. Ramachandran, the port capacities have already been enhanced by 2.3 million TEUs. Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam announced that all efforts will be taken to ensure faster movement of air cargo and reduce turnover time. The stakeholders in the meeting also decided to set up a multidisciplinary help desk to support exporters.

MORE India ARTICLES

BSF recovers 126 drones, 150 kg heroin along India-Pak border in Punjab

BSF recovers 126 drones, 150 kg heroin along India-Pak border in Punjab
With the recovery of 126 drones and 150 kg heroin, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday said its troops have significantly outperformed the previous year’s record in the first six months this year. The BSF mans the 553-km long varied, tough and challenging India-Pakistan border in Punjab.

BSF recovers 126 drones, 150 kg heroin along India-Pak border in Punjab

CM Yogi cracks down on govt officials over illegal sale of land

CM Yogi cracks down on govt officials over illegal sale of land
The government has suspended the SDM, Naib Tehsildar, Revenue Inspector, Lekhpal, and Peshkar in the case and has instructed the District Magistrate to file an FIR against the accused in addition to initiating departmental action against them.

CM Yogi cracks down on govt officials over illegal sale of land

CBI cracks down on NEERI in 4 states, files 3 cases

CBI cracks down on NEERI in 4 states, files 3 cases
The raids were carried out at 17 locations in Maharashtra, New Delhi, Haryana and Bihar, from where the CBI recovered incriminating documents, property-related papers, jewellery and other things, said the central probe agency.

CBI cracks down on NEERI in 4 states, files 3 cases

World sees India with great hope: PM Modi

World sees India with great hope: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the world sees India with great hope and everyone across the globe wants to learn more about the country. PM Modi said that India and Austria are geographically on two different ends but have many similarities.

World sees India with great hope: PM Modi

Punjab Police busts interstate crime syndicate, arrests five

Punjab Police busts interstate crime syndicate, arrests five
The kingpin of the syndicate has been identified as Jai Sharma, a resident of Amritsar, while four members have been identified as Nikhil Sharma, Moni, Arpit Thakur, and Karan Sharma.

Punjab Police busts interstate crime syndicate, arrests five

Assam floods: 6 more deaths reported, 19 lakh still affected in 27 districts

Assam floods: 6 more deaths reported, 19 lakh still affected in 27 districts
According to the officials, over 24.20 lakh people in 30 districts had been affected till Friday. ASDMA officials said that on Monday two people drowned in Dhubri while one each died in Goalpara, Golaghat, Sivasagar, and Sonitpur.

Assam floods: 6 more deaths reported, 19 lakh still affected in 27 districts