Drug haul rebuke forces Adani Ports to say no to containerised cargo from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran
The 3000-KG drug haul from two containers was one of the biggest such hauls ever in the country, and this had triggered major embarrassment for Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ).
The heroin haul to the tune of 3000kg by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) from two containers at the Mundra port in Gujarat last month had brought major embarrassment to the Adani group.
After the major drug haul happened, social media went hyper and had attacked the Adani group, mainly due to its proximity with the government at the Centre.
In a bid to avoid any such embarrassing situations, Adani Ports has stated that it wouldn’t handle containerised cargo from countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.
3000-kg drug haul at Mundra Port forces decision
It’s been a month since the incident happened at the Mundra port. The drug haul from two containers was one of the biggest such hauls ever in the country, and this had triggered trouble for Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ).
The APSEZ and the Adani port, according to an Indian Express report, have issued an advisory signed by APSEZ Chief Executive Officer Subrat Tripathy, which read thus:
“Please be informed that with effect from November 15, 2021, APSEZ will not handle EXIM containerised cargo originating from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This trade advisor will apply to all terminals operated by APSEZ and including third party terminals at any APSEZ port till further notice.”
North Indian traders not happy
However, the move by the Mundra port authorities could come about as a major blow to many exporters in North India who depend a lot on Mundra. With many exporters likely to look at other ports to keep their businesses running, trade could see a hit, the report quoted industry bodies as saying.
Further, the cost factor also would make things difficult for many traders. For instance, transporting a 20-foot container from Rajkot to Mundra costs around Rs 15,000, and, in comparison, a similar container from Rajkot to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Navi Mumbai would cost around Rs 60,000. Such a situation could make things tough for exporters in North India.
It may be recalled that the heroin seized on September 16 was declared as containing “semi-processed talc stones”, and had come from Afghanistan via Iran’s Bandar Abbas port.
Images used only for representational purposes.
