Mar.30--Protests forced the closing of cargo terminals for three days
    India’s Port of Jawaharlal Nehru (Nhava Sheva) resumed operations on Thursday night following the end of a three-day campaign of picketing by dockworkers and supporters of local political parties.
    The protest, which closed cargo terminals at the country’s largest container hub, was called off after government authorities agreed to settle long-delayed compensation packages for the ‘project-affected persons’ within three months.
    “We have been protesting for long and hope that the matter is sorted out as promised by State Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan,” a political representative said.
    Party leaders complained that the port administration repeatedly reneged on its commitment to compensate farmers who had surrendered land for the port project.
    “We are making all possible efforts to clear the shipping backlog,” a port official said.
    Nehru handles nearly 60 percent of India’s total containerized export and import cargo. The shutdown, which followed a 24-hour general strike Feb. 28, is said to have cost the port authority more than $30 million in lost business.

(Source:JOC)