Mumbai's port lacks facilities: MANSA

Mumbai: Despite dredging for over two months, Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) is yet to achieve the desired draft required for smooth operations at one of the country’s oldest facilities, alleged trade body.

The Mumbai and Nhava Sheva Ship Agents Association (MANSA) claimed that there is a lack of initiative within the port to carry out the draft survey in a timely manner. The body has also written to the Deputy Conservator of the MbPT on the issue. “Though there were clear-cut orders from the Chairman that draft survey/soundings should be taken within three days of carrying out dredging, there seems to be no prompt compliance,” read the letter.

“It was feared that decline in draught levels would lead to bunching of deep draught vessels increasing their turn around and waiting time at the port,” said a  member. Earlier  MANSA had claimed that the draft levels had dropped to 5.3 metres in some berths as compared to the minimum desired level of 9.1 metres.