Date:28/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/28/stories/2005072801520800.htm

Back Rains hit port operations in Mumbai

Our Bureau

Mumbai , July 27

LOADING and unloading operations at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Mumbai port were severely affected due to the incessant rains that lashed the country's commercial capital on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Officials said operations at JNPT were suspended for some time on Tuesday night due to poor visibility. However on Wednesday morning, the port operated up to 50 per cent of its capacity, as employees could not come due to disruptions in bus and rail services. The night shift employees were asked to continue on Wednesday.

According to port officials, steps have been taken to restore normalcy in operations.

Mumbai port operations were also hit, with eight vessels getting stuck — only one vessel could be completed on Wednesday. With the private transporters not able to deploy vehicles, cargo evacuation had been paralysed, leading to the port stockyards getting full.