Traffic jam on the NH- 5 (A) as ore-laden trucks remain stranded on the way to Paradip port. Telegraph picture

Paradip, Nov. 26: Stalemate over cargo handling in the port here has been resolved.

The dispute between two stevedores (dock labourers) had triggered a crisis with nearly 600 ore-laden trucks being stranded in the town for the past four days. The resultant effect of the parked trucks was also felt on the national highway between Chandikhol and Paradip via Kendrapara.

Paradip Port Trust (PPT) traffic manager Kishore Kumar Sahu said: “It was a trading dispute that had affected the unloading operation. As a result, the trucks carrying iron ore pellets were left stranded.”

The stalemate has now been resolved following the intervention by PPT chairman Sudhansu Sehar Mishra.

Both the stevedores had licence to operate in the port. But one of them, Odisha Motors Private Limited, was not armed with the clearing, forwarding and handling facility. It was dependent on the other stevedore, Swastik Private Limited, which had the facility permit for unloading. Problem arose when Swastik refused to unload the cargo. The firm with a valid permit is authorised to carry out the cargo-handling operation with its select band of labour force.

While around 30 stevedores are operating in the port, only nine of them have the licence, issued by the port development committee, said a port official.

“As there was a jam in the port area due to stranded trucks, we were forced to intervene to end the impasse. Unloading of ore pellets from stranded trucks has resumed today. The port has imposed penalties on stevedores for occupying the port space for prolonged period,” he said.

“The port authorities should be cautious, so that stalemate of this nature may not recur. The stranded trucks had also paved way for traffic jam on national highway No. 5 (A),” said PPT trustee member Pravat Kumar Samantaray.