Odisha plans to link 6 ports to mineral shipment database

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
BHUBANESWAR, MAY 30:
In a bid to further streamline mineral transportation, the Odisha government has decided to integrate export data of ports with the Integrated Mines and Mineral Management System (i3MS) from June 1. The effort aims bring transparency in the mineral business and therefore checking illegal mining.

“i3MS, the online data verification and permit generation software for mineral transports, will now be connected with six different ports through which minerals are being exported from Odisha,” the Steel and Mines Secretary, Mr D.K. Singh, told reporters here.

The six ports – Paradip, Dhamra, Haldia, Kakinada, Vishakhapatanam and Gangavaram – would have to share data with the State Government on export of minerals from Odisha through i3MS, Mr Singh said adding the system come into force on June 1.

“The ports which fail to be part of the system, will not be allowed to handle minerals being exported from Odisha.

Port authorities have to download data on export of mineral from the State in Web site every fortnight,” said Mr Singh.

Accordingly, the State Government would have sufficient information regarding the amount of minerals being transported to other countries and the persons or companies that undertake the trade, he said.