ISLAMABD: Wajid Zaman, Deputy Collector, Margallah Dry Port Islamabad requested Pakistan Railways (PR) to provide security cameras, proper concrete floor at the examination area, installation of razor wire on the height of walls at the east and south sides of the dry port and replacement of outdated machinery (Cranes and lifters) on urgent basis.
Talking with Customs Today while giving an exclusive interview, the Deputy Collector Islamabad Dry Port (IDP) showed dissatisfaction over the infrastructure provided by the PR for the IDP. He said that cranes being outdated could be a cause of any accident as currently available cranes are not adequate to lift the increased load of containerized cargo. We require state-of-the-art cranes/lifters for movement, loading and stacking of containers, he added.
Talking about the legality, he pointed out that, as per Section 14A of the Customs Act-1969 elaborated under the Customs Rules 2001 (SRO 450(1)2001 chapter xxi, sub-chapter xiv, it is a responsibility of the agency or department concerned, which is managing or owning the customs port, to provide at its own cost an adequate accommodation to customs staff for examination of goods, detention and storage of goods, security of premises and other departmental requirements to be determined by Collector Customs and the said agency or department shall also pay the utility bills of the premises.
The Deputy Collector reminded that, despite a number of reminders and previous meetings with the railways authorities, the PR authorities have failed to repair the boundary wall and installation of CCTV cameras for adequate surveillance of the bonded goods. He maintained that, for the security of imported non-duty-paid goods and safeguard of the government revenue, the PR authorities must provide the agreed requirements on urgent basis.
Telling about the details of urgent demands, he told CT that we urgently need CCTV coverage of entire dry port area, especially at examination area, as well as installation of more floodlights at the dry port, particularly at the examination area.
Wajid Zaman said that, regarding the security checks, we have asked the PR to develop a system in which only importers, clearing agents and laborers should be allowed in the examination area. He emphasized that numbers of security persons at all the entry and exit points on the premises of the IDP should be increased and strict checking on all the entry and exit pints be ensured.
