Paradip: The port trust authorities here have moved to invigorate its safety mechanism to reduce mishaps in the prohibited core area.

"Paradip Port Trust has resolved to make 2018 a 'Zero Accident Year'. Accidents in the port's operational area are a cause for concern. We are undertaking several initiatives to curb the number of mishaps," said a port official.

"The port employees, contractual workers and other stakeholders are being sensitised in this regard. As most of the mishaps occur after sunset, we are putting in place adequate infrastructure to illuminate the operational area. At present, the port is equipped with 218 high-mast towers. We are installing 50 more such towers to light up the prohibited area even further," said Paradip Port Trust chairman Rinkesh Roy.

An official said the port would also install advance warning systems that emanate light and siren within a month at the railway level crossings inside the core area as these are accident-prone zones.

That apart, speed governors and traffic squads will keep a vigil on rash driving. The port trust plans to ensure all movements inside the facility is strictly through the buses that it will engage to ensure worker safety, the official said.

Rash driving of cargo-laden vehicles is one of the major reasons behind accidents in the restricted area.

The port trust has already prohibited two-wheeler movement within the operational area. Motorcycles also caused a large number of accidents in the core area. Four persons have been killed in accidents in recent months inside the port - the victims were all on two-wheelers. The port authorities have, as a result, clamped down on bikes.

The port's cargo handling capacity has gone up manifold recently. The movement of heavy machinery and cranes is also on the rise. Consequently, the plying of cargo-laden vehicles has shot up. Thus, motorcyclists are exposed to mishaps, said a port official.