The Hindu 20.09.2010
Gate 2A of Chennai Port likely to be opened by Thursday
Special Correspondent
CHENNAI: A delay in opening up of Gate 2A of Chennai Port Trust off East Kalmandapam Road for vehicular movement has resulted in piling up of laden and empty container vehicles both inside and outside the Port premises.
The Chennai Corporation had stated that the road would be ready for vehicular traffic from September 17. On Saturday only empty container vehicles were allowed to ply to test the road strength. The road was closed for traffic on Sunday to allow procession for the immersion of Lord Ganesha idols into the sea.
“As of now, we can see at least 400-500 empty container laden vehicles stranded inside the Port as well as outside. Besides, vehicles are standing in a long queue along S.N. Chetty Road. Traffic is expected to resume late in the night. However, it might take at least a week for the Port authorities to clear the backlog. This will definitely affect big automobile companies that works just-in-time concept, electronic hardware firms and others,” said a port user.
Currently, Gate 1 handles around 1,300 vehicles of import containers and 1,300 vehicles of export containers. Gate 2A was handling around 1,500 containers per day.
It was closed on June 18 for heavy vehicles due to the caving-in of the road resulting in damage of the 30-year old storm water drain. Chennai Port Trust immediately diverted the container vehicles towards Gate 1.
The 30-feet Kalmandapam Road was reduced to a narrow strip due to caving-in and it took nearly three months for the Corporation officials to rectify the damaged road as it had an archaic storm water drain and the flow of sewage water was continuous.
“A concrete slab was placed a few weeks ago and the road will be levelled soon. It would take another two-three days to black top the road. Till then, we have to use Gate 1,” the Port user said.Port official said that they would open Gate 2A by Thursday and hope to clear the backlog soon.
