Govt To Tackle JNPA Container Backlog With Immediate Relief Measures

New Delhi, May 23 (KNN) The government has launched a coordinated inter-ministerial response to address a growing cargo congestion crisis at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), triggered by a shortage of trailer drivers at Container Freight Stations (CFSs) that has delayed the evacuation of approximately 25,000 import containers.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal convened a high-level meeting with representatives of the All India Liquid Bulk Importers and Exporters Association to assess the situation and chart immediate and long-term measures to restore normalcy in cargo movement, according to a government press release.

Sonowal said, “Guided by a Whole of Government approach, we are taking coordinated and proactive measures across ports and logistics systems to sustain Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), strengthen supply chain resilience and build a globally competitive maritime ecosystem in line with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.” 

Immediate Operational Measures

JNPA has already implemented a series of interventions to decongest terminals and accelerate cargo evacuation. Key among these are the rerouting of containers via rail — including to nearby CFSs equipped with railway sidings — and the introduction of simultaneous scanning of double containers to reduce processing time.

To ease the financial burden on trade stakeholders, Inter-Terminal Railway Handling Operation (ITRHO) charges and Change of Mode of Transport charges have been waived. Port terminals have also extended case-by-case waivers and discounts on ground rent charges. Dedicated green channels for empty trailers have been established across terminals to facilitate faster turnaround.
In a notable collaborative measure, leading CFS operators have pooled nearly 100 trailers to lift entire container stacks, enabling the evacuation of long-pending and buried containers from congested yards. 

Efforts are also under way to allow importers direct access to port terminal yards to collect containers, while export trailers are being matched with import containers at the port.

Long-Term Resilience Strategy

Beyond the immediate response, JNPA has outlined a broader roadmap to strengthen logistics preparedness. Measures include intensified efforts by CFS operators to expand driver availability, enhanced cargo evacuation through railways, and engagement with motor driving training schools to build a larger pool of trained trailer drivers.

The port authority is additionally planning a phased transition to electric vehicles to improve operational sustainability and driver comfort. A Truck Appointment System is being introduced to reduce congestion at terminal gates, while terminals are being encouraged to deploy additional handling equipment in line with rising cargo volumes.

(KNN Bureau)