The government plans to set up a Rs 7,000 crore modern deep-sea port off West Bengal coast as part of its Rs 55,000 crore plan to double port capacity in the country to 1,000 million tonne by 2012.An expression of interest (EoI) has been invited for the deep sea port, which would come up near sand head in the state. The feasibility report is to be completed in 18 months, Union shipping minister T R Baalu said.One of the problems of ports in the country has been inadequate depth. This results in most of Indian cargo being transhipped in Singapore, Dubai and Colombo.It was for this reason, Baalu said, government proposes to set up a modern deep-sea port. Besides, work was going on for deepening of channels and construction and upgradation of berths as well as more container terminals in 12 major ports in the country, he said.The Paradip port on the east coast is to be deepened to 17.1 metres from the present 12.8 metres at a cost of Rs 235 crore to make it the deepest port in the country, he said.Baalu said the Tuticorin port has taken up a project to deepen its channel to 14.7 metres from the present 12.5 metres. The Rs 450-crore project assumes significance in the light of the ongoing Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project, scheduled to be completed by 2008 at a cost of Rs 2,427 crore.Once Sethusamudram project in Palk Bay is completed, Tuticorin port is expected to become a port and would attract several bulk carriers that go to Colombo for transhipment, he said.
