JNPT transporters planning indefinite stir against cess

Transporters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) are planning yet another indefinite strike from October 5 to protest against the levy of toll for using national highway (NH-B4) connecting the port.

"Over 12 major container transporters associations at the JNPT will go for an indefinite strike to protest against the Rs 195 road cess imposed for two-way traffic to the port," said Surendra Khadkikar, secretary of the Nhava Sheva Container Operators Welfare Association (NSCOWA).

He further added that as NH-4B is the only road linking the port directly, no toll should be levied for this road. Any hindrance to the cargo movement to the port, which handles over 56 per cent of the country's cargo, would result in congestion at port.

The transport associations, which are on strike include NSCOWA, the Bombay Goods Transport Association (BGTA), the Maharashtra Inter-state Heavy Vehicles Association and the All India Motor Transport Congress, he said.

NH-4B has been constructed by a joint venture company floated by JNPT, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). The road toll was reduced to Rs 195 from Rs 260 for two-w ay traffic to the port following a four-day long strike in August.

"JNPT and NHAI had reduced toll amount and agreed to issue monthly passes in August. But the conditions such as using a single pass only for two trips in a day is not viable for us," Khadkikar said.

When contacted, Ravi Bushan Budhiraja, the JNPT Chairman said that the port is taking all possible steps to avert the possible strike.

"We are planning to call a joint meeting with transporters and the NHAI to sort out the issue soon. We are also exploring option to open up more link roads in consultation with NHAI," Budhiraja said.