From Covid-19 to cyclone and more: Adani Group, Essar, and Vedanta making their way through every challenge

The Adani Group has initiated actions and worked closely with the state governments of Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat amid the cyclone

The devastating pandemic has hit hard some of India’s major ports. Amid this came a series of cyclones that intensified the impact that they have already been reeling under. Port players like Vedanta and Adani Group Goa that were once undertaking Covid-19 relief initiatives, stepped up in their efforts to deal with the impact of the cyclonic storm.

APSEZ, the key subsidiary of Adani Group, has initiated actions and updated the Maritime Boards and state governments of Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat on the same. It has taken measures to ensure the safety of the people in and around its ports, as well as the vessels and equipment. Simultaneously, as a part of its preparedness against the cyclonic storm, it also stocked medicines, dry rations and ensured that the communication lines were clear.

Stepping into action, Essar Ports Ltd has also taken necessary precautions by working in close coordination with the local administration. It suspended operations and refrained the people from moving around within the port for ensuring workplace safety.

Not so long ago, both APSEZ and Essar Ports Ltd were undertaking Covid-19 relief initiatives, including their in-house vaccination drive for the employees. While the pandemic and the cyclones may be temporary challenges, those pertaining to the environment have been longstanding. For the latter, port players have been ensuring similar measures as well.

For instance, usage of a spray that has proven to control coal dust emission by 80 % is a common practice at Adani Group’s Goa project in the Mormugao Terminal as well as other ports that the group operates. It has taken many steps towards maintaining the coastal ecosystem as well at its Dhamra port. The group created a corpus of ₹ 30 crores for conservation and protection of the rare and vulnerable Olive Ridley Turtles, nesting nearby Dharma port. Similarly, by leveraging technologies like cold-fog system and sprinkling system for dust control, Essar Ports Ltd too has been taking host of measures to reduce its carbon footprint.

Vizag General Carg Berth Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Vedanta Ltd, has also been adopting eco-friendly technologies for the same. In its bid to control dust emissions while handling coal, it has installed a dry fog dust suppression system all over its plant. Likewise, nozzles and sprinklers have been placed at transfer points and stack yard areas, respectively.

Also Read: Significant growth trajectory in Indian coal sector with private players like Adani Group Chhattisgarh

From environmental and ecological challenges to the recent and ongoing crises of cyclone and pandemic, private port operators have been strategically dealing with all of them. In fact, ever since the private-public partnership model was introduced, private players have been instrumental in tackling the challenges that the government-owned ports have long been staring at. They include inadequate volumes of cargo handling, delay in evacuation of cargo, outdated equipment and machinery and more.