Authorities handling cargo movement at the ICD in MIHAN seem to have ruffled the feathers of many entrepreneurs of the region as more than 360 containers carrying raw material are stuck up at various locations.

Sources told The Hitavada that four racks carrying the containers have been held up at various locations between JNPT and MIHAN rail route due to which manufacturers of plastic items, paper products and some others are struggling to manage their inventory.

The entrepreneurs relaying on imported goods are facing the shortage at a time when they are hoping to make it big during the upcoming festive season. Significant number of industrial units based in the region are importing plastic granules, paper waste, electronic items and other material.

The sources attribute the delay to allegedly ‘inefficient handling’ of containers on the part of CONCOR’s inland container depot (ICD) at MIHAN.

It is the responsibility of the CONCOR to manage the movement of containers and ideally a consignment railed out from the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) should arrive at MIHIN ICD in a span of three to four days. But for reasons best known to CONCOR authorities, train number PCPR99729 carrying nearly 90 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit), which started its journey on September 8, is yet to reach the ICD. The train is laying at Butibori railway yard for the past few days.

Similarly, three more trains carrying approximately the same number of containers are held up at Bhusawal and Wardha for the past few days. Aggravating the situation further, the CONCOR authorities have availed a mega block on the route connecting their facility with the main rail line for two days starting from Thursday. It will be followed by the weekend which will further delay the release of the material.

On the other hand, clearing agents, importers and manufacturers are making an all-out effort to receive the material in the containers. “The importers are not getting the material on time even as they have released the payment for the same. It is severely disrupting the production,” said one of the agents.

When contacted, Santosh Kumar Singh, Chief Manager in Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), downplayed the matter and said heavy congestion on the rail route is causing some delay.

“There is a huge rise in exports from the region. However, we are managing it without disturbing the trade. Moreover, we are also improving our infrastructure to effectively handle the increased load,” he added.