India’s Busiest Port Resumes Operations
Kandla, India's busiest port which was damaged in last month's earthquake, resumed operations at all its 10 general cargo berths on Wednesday with load restrictions on some of them, the port chairman said. "We are operating on all 10 cargo berths with load restrictions on berth numbers one to five from today (Wednesday) onwards," Kandla Port Trust Chairman A.K. Joti told Reuters. Operations were halted on January 26 by the huge quake which struck the western state of Gujarat, killing at least 30,000 people. The port resumed partial operations on February 3. "As of now more than 80 percent of the port capacity is being utilized," a shipping ministry statement said. Port authorities have been facing pressure from traders and the government to restore capacity after the quake.
Port Repair Bids To Be Sought
India's Kandla port will invite tenders soon for repairs to jetties, buildings and equipment damaged in last month's earthquake. "We will invite tenders in the next few days to repair the port," A.K. Joti said. He said total damages, including civil structures and mechanical and electrical systems, were estimated at $10.8 million. The port would invite several tenders for each job instead of awarding a comprehensive tender to one group, thus enabling work to begin simultaneously, said Vipul Mittra, port deputy chairman. Operations at the country's busiest port were halted on January 26 by the huge quake that struck the western state of Gujarat, killing at least 30,000 people. Partial operations were resumed on February 3.
