The Government has taken steps to facilitate container movement at Mumbai’s Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) amidst disruptions from the Middle East conflict. Measures include rail evacuation, waiver of handling charges, green channels, and trailer pooling to address bottlenecks. A high-level meeting chaired by Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Piyush Goyal focused on enhancing container movement due to the rerouting of Gulf-bound containers to JNPA.
JNPA swiftly implemented operational interventions to expedite cargo evacuation and relieve terminals. Rail movement of containers to nearby Container Freight Stations (CFSs) with railway sidings was initiated. Simultaneous scanning of double containers was introduced to reduce processing time. Minister Sonowal emphasized a ‘Whole of Government’ approach to sustain Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and ensure seamless trade facilitation.
To assist trade stakeholders, Intern-Terminal Railway Handling Operation (ITRHO) charges and Change of Mode of Transport charges were waived. Port terminals extended waivers and discounts on ground rent charges case-by-case. Dedicated green channels for empty trailers were set up across terminals for faster turnaround. Leading CFS operators pooled trailers to lift entire container stacks, aiding in the evacuation of congested yards.
The Government, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, is committed to enhancing the trade and logistics ecosystem. JNPA has outlined a roadmap to strengthen logistics preparedness and cargo handling capabilities. Efforts include increasing driver availability, enhancing cargo evacuation through railways, and transitioning to electric vehicles for operational sustainability. A Truck Appointment System and additional handling equipment deployment at terminals are planned to support rising cargo volumes.
