CUTTACK: Raising serious concerns over the handling of hazardous ammonium nitrate cargo at ports, the Orissa High Court has sought clarification from the Centre on whether safety advisories issued for ships carrying the explosive chemical are being strictly followed at ports, particularly by Paradip.Port Authority (PPA).Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), a division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M. S. Raman on March 13 observed that ammonium nitrate is a “highly inflammable and explosive” substance and any lapse in its handling could endanger public safety and port infrastructure. The web copy of the order was released online on Friday.The Bench referred to an advisory issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on September 8, 2025, prescribing stringent safety measures for ports dealing with ammonium nitrate cargo. Among the key instructions, the advisory mandates that ships carrying more than 5,000 metric tonnes of ammonium nitrate should be shifted from the port area to mid-sea anchorage after the day’s unloading operations and brought back the next day for resumption of discharge work.The Bench noted that the PIL filed by Forum for Integrated National Security, Mumbai raises “serious concern on the safety and security of the citizenry of the country”, particularly in relation to vessels transporting large quantities of the chemical through Indian ports. AdvocateAppearing for the Union government, the Deputy Solicitor General of India Prasanna Kumar Parhi sought time to obtain instructions on whether the advisory has been formally adopted and implemented or whether any separate policy decision has been taken by the Centre on the issue.Observing that several vessels carrying ammonium nitrate berth at Paradip Port, the bench said the presence of the port authority was necessary for effective adjudication of the matter. The court directed issuance of notice to the PPA through Speed Post with acknowledgment due. The matter has been posted for further hearing on May 21, 2026.The case assumes significance in view of growing concerns over the storage and transportation of hazardous chemicals at major ports and the potential risks posed to nearby habitations in the event of an accident.
