Mangaluru: In a matter of a few days, people importing and exporting edible items through New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) can get clearance for their products in one or two days, instead of the hitherto week-long wait to get the clearance.

The NMPT is setting up a food testing laboratory, which began functioning in a limited capacity since Thursday, within the port premises to offer this facility. At present, the items have to be sent to the Central Food Technology and Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru, the process of which would take at least a week.

The agency, chosen by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, to provide laboratory services is now offering a collection facility, where the certificates are issued in about two days.

In about three months, the laboratory will function in a full-fledged manner in a building of NMPT near the IOC outlet abutting NH 66, said an officer of NMPT.

NMPT Chairman P.C. Parida told that all steps are being taken to facilitate ‘Ease of Doing Business’, an initiative of the Union government.

NMPT, the sea-route gateway to Karnataka, is in the process of speeding up cargo and passenger handling process in the port. The government is very particular that every possible effort should be made to facilitate smooth business transaction, he said.

Another major initiative being undertaken by the Port Trust is to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based Gate Automation system at the port. Being implemented through M/s. CMS Computers Ltd., the facility would eliminate long queues of trucks at Port Gates from this November, Mr. Parida said.

Every vehicle carrying cargo in and out of the port, including container vehicles, would have to get RFID tags before start of their journey so as to be read at the Port Gates. There would be no time-consuming manual checking of various papers, he said.

Direct Port delivery to all clients under the Accredited Client Programme and introduction of issuing E-Delivery orders are some of the other major initiatives taken up by the port. Once all the above initiatives are fully implemented, the trade would be benefitted.