Trade opposes restrictions on trailer movement in Kerala
Kochi, Sept. 1
Protest is brewing in trade circles in the Kochi port over the decision of the Road Safety Authority of Kerala to prohibit container trailer traffic between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the roads in the State.
The Port Chairman, Mr N. Ramachandran, said that the port is worried over such restrictions as they would affect the timely evacuation of cargo from the port, including containers. Because of such restrictions, the port would not able to attract container traffic from the hinterland at a time when the Vallarpadam terminal is all set to commence its operations by the year end. He suggested that such restrictions need to be modified without hampering the container traffic by putting in place some other safety measures.
Mr Anilkumar N. Prabhu, President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the decision would hamper the cargo movement to and from the Kochi port.
The port is poised for a tremendous growth with the commissioning of the ICTT at Vallarpadam. The neighbouring ports have been making efforts to attract more exim cargo traffic. Hence, such a decision will work as an advantage to the neighbouring ports and act as a deterrent to the only major port in Kerala with far reaching consequences on the exim trade, service providers and labour.
In the interest of the Kochi port and the State’s economy, the authorities should reconsider the move with a view to facilitating cargo movement to and from the port, he said.
Cost push
According to Mr Suresh Joseph, General Manager, DP World, Kochi, the present decision of the authorities would only lead to further loss of legitimate business opportunities of the port. With the commissioning of Vallarpadam just a few months away, such restrictions will only keep investors away from the State.
The manner in which it is going to affect the business is by pushing up the costs by doing business in the State. A trailer, which can run 24 hours in other States, can only run for 50 per cent of its time in Kerala. As it is, the cost of doing business in Kochi is expensive because of high wage economy, he said.
Trailers from outside the State will refuse to ply to Kochi due to this new restrictionand, all efforts to enlarge the hinterland of the port will be completely lost.
Source: blonnet
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