Security glitches dog Mumbai ports

Security concerns and poor infrastructure at Mumbai ports are forcing importers to shift base to adjoining states such as Gujarat. According to traders, mafia and government negligence are hitting the trade at the city ports.

Jayant Lapsia, president, All India Liquid Bulk Importers & Exporters Association, said the state government has suffered almost 20-25 per cent revenue loss because of this situation.

The flight of companies had originally started in 1998. Hindustan Lever, Godrej, Liberty Oil, Glenco and Louis Dreyfus are some of the firms which fled the state due to the deterioration condition of these ports.

The loss to the state can be gauged from the fact that these companies import about 2.5-3 lakh tonne of oil and 1 lakh tonne of chemicals throughout the year.

"Mafia is active in ports such as Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) where container and freight stations (CFSs) are about 7-8 km away from the place where traders park their vehicles. Only rickshaws driven by mafia and goons are available to reach CFSs," Lapsia said.

"Dangerous roads and poor lighting add to the trouble. After 6 pm, being there alone is dangerous," says Lapsia.

Setting up of office in this area is not viable as there is a complete breakdown of law and order, allege traders. To top it all, there is the problem of theft too, they say.

"We are forced to hire trucks owned by the mafia for transportation. The charges are unimaginable and we get no help from customs officials," Lapsia said.

"The worst part is that regular complaints filed with the police and concerned ministers have fallen on deaf ears. We met the finance minister, revenue minister and port officials and explained the situation. However, no one has tried to help us for obvious political reasons," he said.

About P D'Mello Road (in the vicinity of JNPT), he said the problems are not different. The road is congested because of encroachment. Because of this, importers face 2-3 per cent extra expenditure on bringing liquid bulk and chemicals through the Mumbai Port," said Lapsia.

In all, the customs office in the city is losing about Rs 70-80 crore per annum because of these problems.

"I am not aware of any malpractices taking place either on Mumbai Port Trust or P D'Mello Road or any road connecting MbPT. If anybody has a problem, he should meet the commissioner of police or deputy commissioner of police for immediate action. Meeting minister would not sort out the problem. If importers have lodged complaints to the local police, I will look into it," said A N Roy, Mumbai police commissioner.

While V R Kamble, commissioner of police, Navi Mumbai, said, "Some tempo associations from Uran were forcing importers to hire their trucks at exorbitant charges. A few instances of these unions demanding donations in the range of Rs 50-400 per truck has also come to light a few months ago. But, complaints had been lodged and actions were taken against them. Some people were arrested and all such activities have stopped now. Importers must lodge complaints with the local police if they are facing any such problem and I will ensure immediate action in this regard."

Lapsia said that complaints have already been lodged but no action has been taken either by the police or the ministers.