Over 3 lakh tonnes of wheat lying in open at two Gujarat ports

Bhuj, Nov 15 (UNI) Even as the Centre was forced to import wheat this year due to low domestic yield, over three lakh tonnes of the foodgrain are lying out in the open at Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat, as authorities have failed to transport it inland.

''At least two lakh tonne wheat stock is lying piled up at Kandla and another 1 to 1.5 lakh tonne at Mundra,'' said an official, requesting anonymity.

Apart from wheat, fertilisers that are imported via these ports, mainly for the Rabi season, are also lying in the open, he said.

''We are worried that on account of this, the normal port activity should not be affected,'' he added.

Sources said the problem arose as Railway could not provide six rakes they had promised. Also, labourers required for packing wheat in bags were also not available as they had gone on leave for Dussehra and Diwali, they said.

Another two ships with a capacity of 22,000 tonnes and 25,000 tonnes are awaiting clearance outside jetty at Kandla port , officials said.

India has contracted to buy 5.5 million tonnes of the foodgrain, primarily to tide over an acute crisis in the price and supply at home.

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