Shipping ministry cell backs KoPT growth

The high powered committee constituted by the Shipping Ministry under Capt P V K Mohan as chairman to look into the problems associated with the container traffic of Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) at Kolkata and Haldia docks and new infrastructure, has submitted its report to Union shipping minister T R Baalu, who assured necessary action for development of infrastructure to meet the rising demand from users, and also appointment of consultant to prepare a detailed project report and manage the tender for development of a dedicated container terminal at Diamond Harbour.

It recommended an alternate route from Netaji Subhas and Kidderpore docks to the second Hoogly bridge for evacuation of containers round the clock.

For Haldia Dock Complex (HDC), it recommended for the improvement of the present lock gate facility and installing another lock gate at the dock complex, direct container handling to reduce costs, deployment of additional tugs, more berths for container ships, a new 200m riverine jetty and also immediate clearance of the capital dredging contract to increase Haldia's draft.

For the Kolkata Dock System (KDS), it has recommended induction of four mobile harbour cranes, augmentation of rubber-tyred and rail-mounted gantry crane and trailer capacity and modernization of tugs on the infrastructure side, along with service improvements like introduction of night navigation and two-shift working in the customs shed, rationalization of tariff structure and reduction of cost to trade along with implementation of information technology (IT) tools to raise production.

To free space, it recommended demolition of the Libyan warehouse, unused residential quarters and other unused warehouses in KDS.

The panel strongly recommended development of a 600m container terminal yard at Diamond Harbour, a supporting 2km rail line, development of inland water transport (IWT) system and initiation of the overdue river conservation project.

The other members of the panel were Shipping Corporation of India CMD S S Hajara and the joint director general of shipping L Vallatahrai.