Green channel for containers at JNPT

NASHIK: Vegetable and fruit exporters across the state have a reason to cheer as the Maharashtra government has decided to give immediate clearance to their containers for export at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai. At present, these containers have to wait for at least four days for their turn.
The decision to facilitate and boost export of vegetables and fruits from the state is expected to be implemented soon.Milind Akare, managing director of Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board (MSAMB), confirmed the development during an agricultural workshop in the city on Friday.
At present, there is heavy traffic congestion at the JNPT because of which the containers for sea export purpose have to remain in a queue for around four-five days. The state exports around 80% of the total vegetables and fruits from the country. Around 100 containers of grapes from Nashik district reach the JNPT daily for export by sea during the harvest season. Moreover, onions, pomegranates and other fruits as well as vegetables are exported at large from Nashik and other districts in the state.
Akare said, "Maharashtra is known for producing grapes and fruits at large. The state contributes around 80% of the total export of vegetables and fruits, while Nashik district's export share is 50%. But the containers have to wait for four-five days for clearance at JNPT due to heavy traffic. To avoid delays and speed up the export procedure, the state government, MSAMB and the central government have decided to create a green channel for immediate clearance to vegetable and fruit containers at the port."
"The total grape export of Maharashtra during 2013-14 was 2 lakh metric tonnes and 1.2 lakh metric tonnes in 2014-15. The grapes are sent through refrigerated containers. Around 2 lakh metric tonnes of grape export is expected from Maharashtra this season. Immediate clearance at JNPT will help maintain the quality of grapes and also save diesel required for cooling, as there will be no waiting period. Besides, other fruits and vegetables exported from the state will also gets benefits of the move," said Kailas Bhosle, chairman of the central science committee of the Maharashtra Rajya Draksha Bagayatdar Sangh.