CID officials surveyed iron ore stored in Karwar port for the second day on Friday. The team, with the help of forest revenue and mines and geology officials is trying to find the exact quantity of iron ore in Karwar.

Mr Mohan Rajaghatta who assumed charge as in charge director of ports on Friday, replaced Captain C Swami, former in charge director who was absconding after the CID issued a notice to him.

Mr Rajaghatta on Friday, tried to resume ship movement in Karwar port which was stopped since February 10 owing to the danger of a marine disaster in the port.

Capt Swami issued a notice last month stopping all ship movement in Karwar port citing silt accumulation as the reason in the channel from where the ship was brought to the port.

Mr Rajaghatta also tried to bring a ship with 4000 tonnes of bitumen to Karwar port. But the plan failed after stevedored opposed, leaving the ship waiting at sea.

Many non iron ore exporters and importers complained that their activity was hampered by the seized iron ore stored inside the port premises. The ore covered a major part of the port premises and the pipelines carrying the liquid cargo lie under the ore. But port and forest officials disagree saying that shifting the seized ore from the spot may lead to a new controversy. Many complained that "This has affected the revenue of port and business activities of the importers and exporters.”

(Sourced from Times of India)