(a) whether three massive cranes costing Rs.27.10 crores were bought for Chennai Port Trust but are lying idle;
(b) if so, the details and reasons therefor and steps being taken to put these cranes to use;
(c) whether any enquiry has been ordered to probe reasons for purchase of these high cost cranes and fix responsibility; and
(d) if not, reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI SHRIPAD Y. NAIK)
(a) to (d): Chennai port Trust replaced old cranes by purchasing three new cranes to facilitate import of finished fertilizers and fertilizer raw materials and installed them at Jawahar Dock Berths, where coal is also handled. The cranes are not being utilized since finished fertilizer, raw fertilizer, foodgrains, cut stones, quartz etc., require clean environment. The coal handling operations are to be transferred to Ennore Port from Jawahar Dock Berths.