The entire township land is lease-hold, and the port trust was charging a higher mortgage fees from the lessees, in accordance with the new guidelines issued by the Shipping Ministry.

But this led to opposition from the residents and businessmen of the port towns.

They had also launched an agitation spearheaded by the Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce. The government was forced to announce a rollback after the chamber threatened to boycott the port.

The decision means that commercial and non-commercial lessees of the port trust will be required to pay Rs7,500 or 0.75 per cent of the bank loan amount for the NOC. The board has also decided to refund the excess amount charged after the hike. However, sources said the decision will be implemented after the ratification by the shipping ministry.

Vimal Gujral, chief of Cargo Motors, said, “This is welcome news for the twin-city residents. The fee hike was unjustified and forced us to pay huge amounts for an NOC from the KPT. Now, we can get the NOC after paying Rs 7,500.”

The chairman also discussed issues related to port operation and other facilities. He had also submitted an action taken report on the issues raised by the port users. He said talks were being held with the concerned company for utilisation of the 11th jetty for non-containerised cargo. He called for optimal utilisation of the berth no 11 and 11-A(12)

The board did not discuss the issue of dredging of the Kandla navigational channel. Board members said they needed more time to discuss it. Sources said that a meeting will be held soon on the matter. On the construction of four new cargo jetties, the board was informed that the model concession agreement had been approved by the ministry.

The meeting was attended by the KPT chairman, three interest trustees, two labour trustees, four government trustees and the North India chamber of commerce representative.