Date:21/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/21/stories/2005102101920900.htm

Back Green channel for export boxes at Walayar check-post

Our Bureau

Kochi , Oct. 20

INDIA Gateway Terminal Pvt Ltd, which operates the container terminal at the Kochi Port, has made arrangements to provide a green channel for export containers at the Walayar check-post on the Kerala border, following discussions with the Commercial Taxes Department of the Kerala Government.

This separate queue at the check-post, which was effective from Wednesday, will facilitate quick clearance of export containers moving for shipment through the Kochi port, a press statement issued by the company said.

The queue will be in the G Counter of A Block. It has further been agreed by the Department that all Customs/Central Excise sealed containers will not be subjected to any physical inspection at the check-post.

IGTPL is confident that easing the bottleneck at Walayar will bring down the transit time for export containers originating from outside the State to Kochi, thus enabling the trade to increase the traffic and reach their containers on time for vessel connections at the Kochi port.

A large quantity of export containers of garments, coffee, machinery, tea etc., move from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to Kerala for export through the Kochi port.

Though these containers are moved with proper documents and sealed by Customs/Central Excise, they get delayed at the Walayar check-post due to heavy congestion of trucks and other attendant issues.