Container transport operators at Nhava Sheva in Maharashtra have announced a voluntary suspension of vehicle operations from August 20, 2024, in response to ongoing issues faced by members including unfair practices at storage yards and deteriorating condition of tolled highways, among others.
In a letter to the members of the Container Transporters Association of Nhava Sheva-Maharashtra, its President Pravin Paithankar, cited several key concerns, prompting the decision to take vehicles off the road.
Empty container storage yards
The operators have raised persistent issues regarding the storage facilities of shipping lines. Members have reported unfair practices at these storage yards, including the imposition of various charges such as container loading, offloading, damage, parking, and CPP parking fees.
The association has appealed to the Container Shipping Lines Association (CSLA) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to direct these storage facilities to stop collecting such charges from transporters. Instead, they urge that these fees be recovered directly from importers, exporters, or their authorized agents when issuing the Delivery Order, to prevent the detention of vehicles.
Road condition of tolled highways
Additionally, the deteriorating condition of tolled highways, particularly on the Mumbai-Gujarat and Gujarat-Nashik routes, has resulted in significant vehicle damage and extended traffic snarls, doubling turnaround times and reducing trip averages. The association has called for the suspension of toll collections on these routes from July 1, 2024, with a request to revert the collected toll amounts to the users’ wallet accounts.
Misuse of e-challan procedure
The misuse of the e-challan system by traffic police has also been highlighted. Operators allege that the traffic police are misusing the system for revenue generation rather than enforcing justice, with penalties being imposed in large numbers. This practice has reportedly diverted the traffic police’s focus from ensuring smooth traffic flow to targeting vehicle number plates.
The association’s voluntary suspension of operations aims to draw attention to these pressing issues and seek redressal. Attention is hereby drawn to all stakeholders in particular import and export trade that all members of the Container Transporters Association of Nhava Sheva-Maharashtra will voluntarily keep their vehicles off the road from Tuesday, August 20, 2024, to seek redressal of our legitimate problems,” the association stated in its announcement.
