MUMBAI's Port of Jawaharlal Nehru (Nhava Sheva) is back in business after three days of picketing by dockers and political activists blocking roads to protest a lack of compensation in a land deal near the harbour.

The picketing and road blockages were ended when the government decided to settle long-delayed claims within 90 days. The shutdown, which followed a daylong general strike, costing and estimated US$30 million in lost business. The port handles more than half of India's container traffic.

"We are making all possible efforts to clear the shipping backlog," a port official said.