An industry body today welcomed the Kerala government's decision to declare the National Highway from the Walayar Checkpost to the International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam as an industrial 'freight corridor'.
"We appreciate the government's initiative and thank the Chief Minister for issuing instructions to the State Transport Department, Commercial Taxes and the Excise Department to permit self-sealed containers to use the 'green channel' facility at the Checkpost", The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) said in a release here.
This facility was earlier restricted only to those containers that were sealed in the presence of Customs/Central Excise Officers.
"We are glad to note that this decision has come at a time when efforts to boost cargo movement through the International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam has begun showing results. This timely decision will surely boost cargo movement through the ICTT," it said.
CCCI said it had in the past demanded implementation of the freight corridor and green channel system.
The CCCI had strongly argued for the green channel implementation for self-sealed containers as this privilege has been bestowed only on credible Exim entities with proven track records.
"The current decision will be a blessing for the cargo passing through Walayar check point, since trucks from Coimbatore and Pollachi will now be able to easily reach the terminal.
"The move is expected to attract more cargo from these areas which was earlier being diverted to neighbouring Ports due to various cargo clearance issues at Walayar", Chamber president C S Kartha said.
He said the chamber is of the view that more such initiatives are essential in order to boost the prospects of the Vallarpadam terminal.
