The private port and port services sector is optimistic about increased activity in the future despite the state's handicap of having a riverine port.
Several speakers at the CII organised Logistics Conclave here endorsed the idea that Bengal holds a lot of potential as the eastern gateway for international trade.
"Trade activity is growing in the eastern region. Both Haldia and Kolkata port are seeing a surge in cargo handling. We want that Kolkata Port Trust to do some adjustments to shift some container cargo to Haldia as the same is getting saturated at Kolkata Docks," J M Baxi joint managing director Dhruv Kotak said.
He also expressed eagerness to participate in the new proposed deep sea port at Tajpur which could be, according to many, better than Sagar port.
Though the Centre and the state have locked horns on the two proposed deep sea ports, the private sector is preferring Tajpur over Sagar port.
Speaking about interest on Bengal, Dhamra Port CEO Subrat Tripathy said Bengal is already a trading hub and Dhamra port is definitely interested in harnessing the port services opportunity.
World Bank specialist Bernard Aritua said that the funding agency is optamistic about the social and enviornmental impact on India with the Rs 5,300 crore Jal Marg Vikas Yojana which will develop the 1,600 Km National Waterways-1 from Haldia to Allahabad.
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