VISAKHAPATNAM: For providing better security, preventing wrong declaration and smuggling in concealed form, the Union Government will install a container scanner at the Visakhapatnam Port by June-end. Though it has been decided to make it mandatory in all the Major Ports, the implementation in Visakhapatnam has been delayed due to certain problems. The scanner, which has reached the city sometime ago, will be installed on the compound of the Visakha Container Terminal Private Ltd, a BOT operator of Visakhapatnam Port.

“It will be a non-intrusive method and the scanning will be done by our officials without stoppage of vehicles. The drive through scanning will save lot of time,” Principal Commissioner of Customs D.K. Srinivas said recently.

The scanner will be mounted on an elevated place. It will be equipped with a U-shaped arm and high resolution cameras. It is expected to increase the dwell time of the consignments. In a bid to ward off irregularities and fasten the checking process, Indian Ports Association has been mandated to facilitate procurement of mobile scanners in all the major ports. Sources said depending on increase in cargo, another mobile scanner will be installed in the port.