Belekeri Port, which attained notoriety for illegal ore exports and coral thefts, is now deserted.
There is absolutely nothing happening at this port, situated in Ankola taluk of Uttar Kannada district. Both the main gates have been locked, and the activities at the port have come to a grinding halt. However, the port has heaps of iron ore lying around, which is guarded by the port and forest officials.
As many as 56 consignments of iron ore are lying at the port. To protect them from rain, the officials have covered the heaps with tarpaulin. Of the 56 consignments, which may weigh about three lakh-metric-tonnes, 45 consignments were seized by the forest department in March 2010, and handed over to the Port Conservator.
The remaining 11 consignments were seized by the forest department on February 11, 2011 and is in the custody of the nodal officer of Belekeri composite checkpost.
“There are fishermen who use this port. The port gate leads to revenue land, and when the owner wants to go to his land, the officials open the gate. However the lock of this gate is opened only when necessary, and a strict vigil is maintained on all movement,” a senior officer said. “The seized iron ore is lying at the port for more than a year. About 80 per cent of the port is occupied by the ore, and so there is hardly any space left for any other business. Clearing this may take some time as the issue is before the Court,” he added.
The port, which was once a hub of activities, is now like a ghost town.