Steps taken to ensure speedy relief materials delivery to Kerala: Govt

To ensure hassle-free delivery of relief materials to flood-ravaged Kerala, Cochin Port, one of the top 12 major ports in the country, has earmarked two berths for priority berthing of vessels carrying such items, the government said today.

Naval Ship INS Deepak from Mumbai has brought in about 800 tonnes of fresh water and 18 tonnes of provisions to Cochin.

"In the calamity-hit state of Kerala, the Ministry of Shipping has taken the initiative to reach relief material from various parts of the country to Cochin Port through coastal shipping," the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement.

The Cochin Port Trust has earmarked two berths at Mattancherry and Ernakulam wharfs for priority berthing of vessels bringing flood relief materials to Kerala, it said adding, two warehouses have been especially earmarked for storage of relief materials and medicines.

The relief material from the major ports at Tuticorin (VO Chidambaranar Port), Cochin, New Mangalore, Chennai and Kamaraj is being aggregated at VOC Port in Tuticorin before being sent to Cochin Port via coastal shipping, it said.

The statement said fresh water is being discharged to two barges for supply to the affected areas and naval ship INS Deepak will make another call at Cochin Port with relief material tomorrow.

"A coastal crude oil vessel Swarna Godavari from Mumbai with 50,000 MT Crude oil by BPCL has been received at Cochin Port to meet the fuel requirement inthe state," the statement said.

Earlier, five containers of relief material comprising clothes, eatables and other basic requirements were received at Cochin Port.

The government said various port stakeholders have joined hands to provide help in the relief operations in the state and trade bodies have offered special coastal shipping services between Cochin and ports at Hazira, Mundra, Kattupalli, Tuticorin, Pipavav, Kandla for carrying relief material from different parts of the country.

A relief camp for a group of affected people has been set up by Cochin Port at Sir Robert Bristow Memorial School, Willingdon Island & KV Port Trust School, the statement said.

About 50 people from different areas near Cochin have been accommodated in the camp, it said adding, doctors from Port Trust hospital are providing medical services while volunteer teams comprising staff and family members of Cochin Port, Customs and CISF and medical team are assisting in the camp and extending necessary support.

The statement said transport minister Nitin Gadkari hailed the role of shipping fraternity in reaching out to the people in time of the calamity.

The employees from Cochin Port trust have decided to contribute their one day's salary amounting to Rs 31 lakh and an equal amount from Cochin Port Trust fund to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.