VASCO: Taking strong cognizance of Herald report on “Coal Wagons continue to leave Mormugao Port with Torn tarpaulin covers” published on January 7, the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) authorities swung into action and sought clarification from both the coal handling agencies operating from Mormugao port on the issue.
Sources in MPT confirmed to Herald that series of meetings were also held with all stakeholders (Adani and JSW’s South West Port Limited-SWPL) only to discuss about the incident highlighted by Herald and 100 per cent mitigation measures to be adopted.
“Yes, soon after the issue was brought to our notice we immediately summoned all the parties involved in coal handling at port and after lengthy discussion several set of directions have been issued. Also, our instructions are clear that the cargo should be properly covered and hence I have reconstituted a team under my Chief Engineer to check all such issues with regards to proper covering of coal cargo,” Deputy Chairman MPT Guruprasad Rai told Herald.
“Besides that, the other officers from traffic department have also been asked to thoroughly check tarpaulin covers before the train leaves the port area to its destination. As a major port, we will not tolerate such lethargy and hence we will ensure that such things don’t repeat in future,” Rai said.
Herald expose was indeed a bombshell for MPT and even for coal handling agencies operating from the Mormugao port.
“Since morning we have held several meetings to fix the responsibility in this issue which was highlighted in today’s newspaper. After inquiry, we have got to know that it was our cargo which was handled by Adani group. We also held meetings with our surveyor, who has been assigned the responsibility to look after the tarpaulin covering. Now we have already adopted several new changes in the whole operations and I can assure you that henceforth such mistakes won’t be reported. We have also submitted our plan of action before MPT,” a senior level officer from JSW said.
