Iraq war relics become a headache for Kandla

In one corner at the rear end of the Kandla Port premises, a 1,000 sq m plot is watched over by three Central Industrial Security Force jawans. They have been guarding the 20 containers kept on this small piece of land for the past nine years. The consignment arrived in 2004, containing some “war material”, including live cartridges.

As is usual with the government, various committees have been formed to inspect these goods, including an inter-ministerial team comprising representatives of the home, commerce and shipping ministries. A team of National Security Guard and customs officials, too, had conducted an inspection.

In January 2011, army personnel supervised the cargo and segregated it into categories. But the work had to be stopped due to non-availability of army officers. The trust is now in the process of writing to the National Disaster Management Authority to help in evacuation of this hazardous cargo.

UNWANTED ASSETS

• CISF jawans keep watch over a plot containing ‘war material’
• The consignment, including explosives material from the Iraq war, arrived in 2004
• Kandla is not alone. Around 200 tonnes of explosive cargo is lying at Mumbai port premises

“The cargo had come from Dubai. It had 300 tonnes of heavy metal scrap along with explosives material from the Iraq war. We have written to everybody in the government but have not been able to get rid of this,” a senior port trust official said.

The port authorities, unable to weigh the cargo, boxed it up in containers and let it be kept untouched and away from main activity areas under supervision. These dangerous elements have so far cost the port trust at least Rs 1 crore, including a monthly rent of Rs 15,000 for the plot and around Rs 30,000 each for salaries of guards. Besides, the trust has also ended up defending itself in a litigation filed by Good Rich Maritime for detention of 20 of its containers, in the apex court.

 

"There are difficulties with the Customs Act which sometimes does not permit the disposal of cargo. Wherever there are practical problems, they should be sorted out. Besides, there are guidelines on safe handling of such cargo that the port should adhere to," said K Mohandas, former shipping secretary. 
 

Various types of hazardous substances have been lying unclaimed at the Indian ports. The chlorine gas leak incident at the Mumbai Port revealed that the gas cylinders were present at the port premises since 1983. A large part of such cargo is lying seized by the customs and unmoved thereafter. Mumbai port too is yet to find a way for around 200 tonne of explosive cargo lying in its premises after the customs department seized it. 

 

While many ports have tried to auction goods considered hazardous like waste oil, corrosive liquid, waste scrap, slag, brass ash etc. materials like explosives has been difficult to handle. With no outside help at its disposal, the shipping ministry feels tied down to take any step, senior official said.