Kandla port operations likely from today

KANDLA, FEB. 2. The Kandla port in quake-hit Gujarat is likely to begin trial operations tomorrow, beginning with unloading of cargo at six berths.

The port, completely shut down after the devastating quake, which had played havoc with berthing, warehousing and navigational facilities, would resume partial operations tomorrow, according to port sources.

Six vessels carrying general cargo would start unloading at berths number one, five, 5a, 6a, seven and eight, he said.

Port officials, however, refuted reports of oil and chemical leakage from crude oil pipelines and chemical storage facilities.

``While there has been no leakage from oil pipelines, a minor leakage from the Acn (Acrylonitrile) storage plant was immediately plugged, '' they said.

Experts from Mumbai and Chennai port are assessing the damages to the port and rehabilitation programme.

The earthquake severely disrupted jetty and warehousing operations at Kandla port which handles 17 per cent of total cargo handled by major ports in the country.

- PTI

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