Centre proposes capital dredging at Haldia

After delays in the tendering process for the Eden Channel at Haldia Port, the Centre has proposed to undertake capital dredging of navigational channels at the port, which is West Bengal’s only facility that can handle large ships.

The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT), which administers the port, had been asked to draw up a detailed proposal for the scheme, which was likely to cost about Rs 995 crore, Shipping Minister GK Vasan said here today.

“Capital dredging is required for improvement of depth in the Haldia channel, for which KoPT has undertaken a comprehensive scheme. This scheme is called the River Regulatory Measures (RRM) and comprises river training works and capital dredging. The proposal will be examined by the (shipping) ministry as soon as it is received from the port,” Vasan said at an event organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce.

Vasan further said that all the due processes for the appointment of a full-time chairman for KoPT had been completed and “an appointment can be expected to be made very shortly”.