Operation of the Paradip Port, the second busiest port in the country following Kandla, has come to a grinding halt since Tuesday on account of the strike by the Stevedores’ Association and the Dumper Owners’ Association.
The port has been incurring heavy loss due to the strike. The client industries are being deprived of critical raw material like coal and lime stone and now running at a much lower capacity compared to their optimum production potential.
The port authorities have been trying to bring back normalcy with the mediation of the State Government, but the situation remains tense and the port operations are at a standstill.
Earlier, Paradip MlA and Minister Damodar Rout had expressed grave concern over the monopoly of some groups in the Paradip Port affecting its efficiency. The port authorities admitted that a group of vested interests has captured some sectors affecting fair play. “Since the group’s monopoly has been threatened, they are indulging in such activities by misleading people,” said senior official of the port.
Despite registering a 16-per cent growth and handling about 550 ships compared to 470 during the first four months of the year, the Belgium-based International Port Consultancy, appointed by the Union Ministry of Shipping has suggested several measures for improving the port operations and efficiency, said the port official.
The client industries, which are heavily impacted by the paralysis in the port operations, are anxiously waiting for a breakthrough in the negotiation process anchored by the State Government.
“We are quite hopeful that the Government will intervene into the matter and break the monopoly in stevedoring to ensure fair play and making it more business friendly. Competition
and level playing will always help the State economy and shall benefit the people,” said Jindal Steel and Power executive director Manish Kharbanda.