Kochi:
Inaugurated in February this year, the Vallarpadam container terminal near Kochi is the country's first international container transhipment terminal. But recently it has come under the scanner of the Customs Department. The department claims there are many security loopholes in the terminal's functioning. In fact so worried is the department that they have sent a confidential report to central intelligence agencies, a copy of which is with NDTV.
According to Vijay Kalsi, Commissioner of Customs, Kochi one of the main problems with the terminal is that there is no customs area. "There is no customs area there. Legally we cannot grant entry to any ship to berth outside customs area. It's a legal issue." He adds, "There are many such problems which have to be sorted out."
Some of the problems Kalsi is referring to, are outlined in the report. According to the report, authorities at the Special Economic Zone where the container terminal is located, "prevent Customs and intelligence agencies from entering the area citing certain sections of the SEZ Act, 2005..." That's not all. The report also warns that the container terminal "will be such an unmanned gateway that terrorists will be looking at, to smuggle RDX and create havoc in the country."
The Customs report comes close on the heels of the seizure of 13 tons of red sanders, a rare wood, by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. The trade of red sanders is banned internationally. Customs officials say the container which was originally loaded with rubber mats was initially cleared by Customs but then replaced with red sanders worth Rs 1.37 crore. This switch they add was possible as the customs checking facility is located more than 40 kms away from the terminal. Officials view this as a serious security loophole, as even explosives can be smuggled in and diverted before it reaches the customs check point.
The state government says it is looking into the matter and will address all concerns. K Babu, Kerala's Minister for Ports says, "If there are any security concerns, the Government of Kerala will intervene and make sure we take it up with the Government of India."
But officials say that time is running out. They point out that with sensitive defence facilities situated close to the terminal action on security concerns needs to be taken sooner rather than later.