Friday, June 03,
The number of rakes of iron ore moved to Paradip port for exports has dropped, said railway sources.
In February, 6 rakes a day on an average were moved into Paradip port, [which has] since declined to around 3 rakes, sources in the South Eastern Railway said.
However, during the same period, throughput at Haldia port & Visakhapatnam port have increased from two rakes to 2.5 to 3 rakes a day.
When contacted, Paradip port sources said iron ore exports through the port dropped in past couple of months despite 13 to 14 per cent growth in the port’s overall traffic throughput. “We would have achieved a much higher traffic growth but for not-so-satisfactory situation on the iron ore front,” a source said.
Inquiries reveal that the crackdown on illegal mining by the Orissa Government could be a major reason behind the downfall. The crackdown has led to closure of several mines in iron-rich Banspani-Jaruli area.
According to one estimate, about 25 per cent of the mines at Joda under Banspani-Jaruli area have not been functioning for past few months.
Source: The Business Line
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