Beirut explosion fallout: Vizag cops ban shipping of Ammonium Nitrate in port city

Visakhapatnam: Vizag authorities have invoked section 144 of CrPC to ban the shipping of Ammonium Nitrate in the port city.

On Monday, Assistant Commissioner of Police/Additional Executive Magistrate of Harbour Division Visakhapatnam City promulgated an order under section 144 CrPC to prevent the movement of Ammonium Nitrate.

This ban stemmed from the fact that the explosion in the Beirut was caused by Ammonium Nitrate. Even as the shipping and storage of the substance was taking place for decades in the Port City, the authorities were unaware of the safety measured being violated by the private player in Vizag stevedoring and storing.

To safeguard life and property, the authorities decided to restrict the Ammonium Nitrate substances at Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) and in the limits Harbour Sub-Division.

“Such trade is injurious to the public health and property,” said the order requesting VPT authorities not to allow the vessel MV Kraszewski transporting 20,041 MT of Ammonium Nitrate, to dock at EQ-06 Berth.

These orders will be in force from October 11 to 31.