Shifting of container depot is not a solution: V Kalyan Rama

V Kalyan Rama, Chairman and Managing Director, Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), talks to DNA's Vatsala Shrangi about the disastrous May 6 gas leak. The government undertaking has a network of over 60 Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and Container Freight Stations (CFSs), including the Tughlakabad ICD. After the incident, the issue of shifting of the depot from the area came into the focus. Also, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has received a plea to relocate the depot.

Why should the ICD not be shifted from Tughlakabad?

The leak affecting the school students was unfortunate. Shifting of the Tughlakabad ICD, however, is not a solution for many crucial reasons. Firstly, there is no threat to locals, as such. We have well-researched scientific tools to handle the containers. The gas leak took place after the containers had left the depot premises.

Secondly, it is a major depot, on which the rankings of India's logistics performance is based. Shifting the ICD will create panic among international investors, which can have a wrong impact on the country's image and business relations.

Last but not the least, we are developing a chain of ICDs in neighbouring regions, such as Ghaziabad and Najafgarh. For all these depots, the Tughlakabad ICD will be the centre point.

What steps are you taking to ensure safety of people in future?

As per the protocol, we have taken up a detailed analysis and study into the incident. Since the containers don't belong to us, we are not the authority to issue an inquiry. We have an advisory role, and the study's findings can be used by the authorities. The containers were imported from China and had to reach Sonipat. We are just facilitators.

Since you maintain that the incident took while the container was in transit, what exactly is your stance on the matter?

While it is for the authorities concerned to inquire into the exact reason for the leak, it appears that it took place because of mishandling during transportation. Since the particular gas, categorised as a corrosive substance, can corrode body parts, it has to handled with utmost care. The transporters are from private companies, and we do brief them about the handling of such sensitive substances. I believe the transporters need more training to handle such containers.