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VASCO
Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) officials believe a drop in business was due to the hostile environment perceived by the trade sector, but said a new Berth 9 would be constructed shortly with enhanced machinery.
Responding to media queries regarding lack of business and idle Berth 9 at the port, MPT Chief Engineer Incharge Prem Kumar said the proposal to construct a new Berth 9 was in its final stage.
“It was a berth having mechanised equipments, which are not there any more. To handle the berth in a conventional way is a big problem and we have to modify the berth again and construct a new berth there, failing which the berth will lie idle and we cannot put it to use. We are awaiting an environmental clearance as well as we already got CRZ permissions and the proposal is in its final stage,” said Kumar.
However, MPT Traffic Manager Vipin Memoth attributed the lack of business to hostile environment felt by the trade sector. “There are business cycles and business friendliness which creates an environment for trade to flourish. When you create an environment of hostility, the trade feels they are not welcome, which is what happened here.”
“If the process for environmental clearance is simplified and obstructions are done away with, business will come,” said Menoth.
