Morbi, India’s biggest Ceramics manufacturing hub, is awaiting courts judgment to resume operations after long halt.
Almost 600 ceramic units were hoping to get courts positive nod on 22 Apr, 2014 for using Coal as fuel; however the hearing has extended to 02 may, 2014.
Since Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) restricted the Coal handling at Navlakhi port, which was the major cause of pollution, ceramic manufactures faces the tough time. The restriction has severely affected the ceramic manufacturers as fuel supply stopped. Apart from the ceramic industries, many other small Coal traders & transporters also effected owing to drop in usage by industry.
President of Morbi Ceramic Association Divyesh Patel told to SteelMint, “We are quite hopeful that we will get the permission to use Coal as we have proposed the model for Coal usage with view of international standards to minimize the pollution due to Coal usage.”
Accoding to the Mr. Patel, usage of gas which is supplied by Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) is much costlier than Coal. For guidance, making a cubic meter tiles fuel costs are INR 45 by Gas and INR 25-27 by Coal.
About 60-65% Coal is coming at Morbi from Navlakhi port and rest from Kandla & Mundra port. Owing to restriction, imports in these ports had declined drastically. However after allowing by the Court, Coal demand will rise and in view of future, imports are rising at these ports with grabbing the opportunity of low prices in international market.
Monthly imports had fallen drastically by 84% to 0.07 MnT in Kandla and 51% to 0.09 MnT at Navlakhi during Dec’13. However during last couple of months (February & March), Coal imports are rising in view of good Coal demand by ceramic industries.
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