Installation of Detection Facilities at Ports

Lok SabhaIn written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today, the Union Minister of Shipping, Shri G. K. Vasan informed that there has been no illegal import of any banned material like arms, rocket shells bombs etc., through any of the Major Ports during the year 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 (Up to June). However, during the year 2006-07 an imported consignment had been declared to contain 810 cartons of chappals and furniture in one 40 feet container seized by the customs on 9.1.2007 at Cochin Port Trust in Kerala. Out of these, 810 cartons, 37 found to contain arms (49 air-pistol and 37 air-guns).

On action taken to check such violations, the reply stated that two scanners (one Stationary and one mobile) for scanning of containers for arms and ammunition have been installed at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and are operational since June, 2005. Two scanners in each of Mumbai, Chennai, Tuticorin and Kandla Ports are proposed to be installed by Department of Revenue. However, the Ministry has presently no proposal for installing Radio active material detectors in Major Ports.

SP/AS