Viability of the much talked about Rs 12,000-crore deep sea port at Sagar Islands in West Bengal hinges upon another port in Tajpur-Shankarpur in the state, a top official said today.
"If the Tajpur project comes up as a standalone port project, then Sagar Port becomes totally unviable and the same is pointed out by the consultants," Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) Chairman M T Krishna Babu said at an interactive session with the MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry here.
"Ministry of Shipping (MoS) has written to the West Bengal government about its stand on Tajpur port," he said.
The Centre wants to partner with the state on the Tajpur Port project, similar to the Sagar Port SPV. The SPV formed for Sagar Port is a 74:26 joint venture between the Centre and state government.
The Public Investment Board's nod for a Rs 515 crore grant to the Sagar Port is conditional and would depend on the Bengal government's strategy on Tajpur-Shankarpur Port.
Recently, West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra said the state cabinet had cleared the Tajpur Port project and the first phase would be completed in three years.
A Group of Secretaries (GoS) headed by state Chief
Secretary Basudeb Banerjee would be set up to study the feasibility report prepared by Crisil and a report would be submitted to the Chief Minister, he said.
The estimated cost of the Tajpur Port is much lower than the Sagar Port in South 24 Parganas.
"The (Tajpur) port will be built on reclaimed land so there is no need for making any acquisition," Mitra had said.
KoPT chairman said Tajpur is more viable as it has more direct access to the sea with 15 metre draft and dredging maintenance would be required to maintain just 10-15 km of stretch.
While at Sagar, the draft is nine metres, which can go upto 12 metres with high dredging maintenance.
However, if KoPT is involved with Tajpur Port project, then the Centre can rework the Sagar Port with lower capacity for cargo on its way to Kolkata, he added.
The Rs 10,000 crore investment for road and railway network, including a bridge over river Muri Ganga, could come under a cloud if the Sagar Port's viability is doubtful.
