NPA chairman Gaurav Dayal  | Photo Credit: cueapi

Congestion at the container freight stations at Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA) has eased and inventory is now back to normal levels, chairman Gaurav Dayal has said.

While operations at India’s busiest container port remained normal, movement of import containers from freight stations was hit in April and May due to a massive shortage of trailer drivers.

“The situation is normal now. Inventory is down to normal levels,” Dayal said.

Last month, the port management initiated measures to reduce the congestion. This included pooling of vehicles and enhanced rail evacuation. The port has also offered relief to importers by offering a 50 per cent concession on ground rent for containers offloaded from vessels after May 1 and removed before June 20.

“There was no strike. Every year in the month of April and May trailer drivers return to their home towns. They return in a month or two. This time number of people who went was much larger because of elections and other issues. Almost 50 per cent of drivers had gone,” he said.

Inflation resulting from West Asia conflict is also cited as a reason for drivers leaving their job en masse. The conflict made availability of LPG difficult and pushed up the cost. Hotels also increased rates. Many drivers chose not to return to work, it is learnt.

Published on June 18, 2026