In a major boost to the crisis-ridden International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) Vallarpadam, the state government would roll out elaborate measures to sort out key issues at Walayar check post, entry point for containers by road to Kerala. With this, there would be an estimated increase of around 80,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) from Coimbatore alone.

As per the decisions taken at a high level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, containers once cleared by the Green Channel would not be subjected to further checking by the Excise officials. Self-sealed containers will be allowed to use Green Channel at Walayar, like in the case of customs/central excise sealed-containers. It was further decided that National Highway from Walayar to ICTT would be deemed a Freight Corridor.

The Commercial Taxes Commissioner, Excise Commissioner and Transport Commissioner, who were present at the meeting, were asked to issue necessary directives to the departments concerned. CM Oommen Chandy will hold a review meeting on December 1.

“We expect an increase of about 80,000 TEUs from Coimbatore alone. And the real volume would be much more, as these would help in attracting trade from entire southern region,” said Paul Antony, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust.

At the high level meeting, it was pointed out that as per accepted norms trade was allowed using containers sealed with unique-numbered, single-use seal – in which the container can be opened only by breaking the seal.

It was further pointed out that customs departments in all countries have accepted that containers with unbroken seals carry un-tampered consignments. The Green Channel at the Walayar check post usually allows only containers sealed in the presence of customs/central excise officials. There has been a demand to let self-sealed containers also use the Green Channel.

Source: New Indian Express