PPP model likely for Bengal deep sea port

In what could be a major thrust to the public-private partnership model, the shipping ministry is mulling over a proposal to run the proposed greenfield deep sea port in West Bengal with private sector participation.

The ministry, which is in the process of selecting a consultant for the project, is thinking of giving the task of developing and managing the berths and terminals to private parties once the consultant selects the location and commissions the port.

The port, which will have the capacity to handle 50 million tonnes of traffic, will need Rs 2,000 crore. Only around six of the 12 Indian major ports can handle this much traffic. The most significant aspect of the port will be a draft (depth) of around 16 metres.

Sources in the shipping ministry said the government would develop and control the rail and road links to the port.

The ministry has shortlisted seven overseas parties to appoint as a consultant, which will be associated with the project from the stage of selection of the location till the commissioning of the port.

West Bengal needs a deep sea port as the Kolkata and Haldia ports are riverine ports, which, due to their location on the river Hugli, require dredging regularly. Ministry sources said the state government proposed the development of a deep sea port as these two could not could not handle large vessels and container carriers.

Also, the Haldia port does not have a deep draft, which is a must, as the capacity of ships is increasing. Due to the draft limitations, the vessels have to pay a heavy load penalty.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram, while presenting the Budget, had announced the government's plan to appoint a consultant to examine the feasibility of a deep sea port in West Bengal.

A sum of Rs 10 crore was allocated for this.