Privatisation of container movement mulled

Faced with severe congestion at key ports like Nava Sheva and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), the government is considering a proposal to privatise container movement in the country, which would end the Container Corporation of India's (CCI) monopoly.

"We are considering drafting a Cabinet memo," a top official said adding that the Railway ministry would, however, have to be taken on board on the issue, since at present, Concor, which is under the Ministry of Railways, is the only agency in the country permitted to undertake container movement.

Senior government officials told Business Standard that commerce, industry and the shipping ministry were of the opinion that privatisation of the container movement immediately required redressal.