KPT targets 60 MT cargo handling to top the chart

Kolkata, May 3 (UNI) With a target of 60 million tonne cargo handling and a rank above all major ports in the country in 2007-08, Kolkata Port Trust is set to make operational two additional berths in its Haldia dock system year.

"The construction of berths at Haldia at a cost of Rs.86.36 crore will be complete in May and September this year. This will increase our cargo handling capacity by another four million tonnes and help surpass Vizag port at the end of this year," KPT Chairman A K Chanda today said.

Announcing that KPT recorded an all-time high cargo handling at 55.05 million tonnes in 2006-07 to continue to be in the second spot among the eleven Indian ports for the third consecutive year, Dr.

Chanda said the increase was by about two million tonnes as against less than half-a-million tonnes by Vizag port which handled 56.386 million tonnes.

While only Vizag and Kolkata ports have the distinction of handling more than 55 million tonnes of traffic, close behind were Chennai with 53.414 million tonnes, Kandla with 52.982 million tonnes and Mumbai with 52.364 million tonnes.

To increase the cargo handling capacity, KPT has also decided to expand southward, having a deeper draft facility, having identified location for three riverine jetties under the Kolkata Port Dock system with a total expenditure of Rs. 360 crore, Dr. Chanda said.

"The proposed jetties, to be set up on 85 acres of land to handle bulk and containers, will be constructed through private-public partnership(PPP).While the KPT Board has already approved the project, the celarance from the Shipping Ministry is expected shortly," the Chairman said.

Among the other measures taken to jack up the cargo handling capacity, KPT has decided to go for transloading of dry bulk cargo at Sandheads and Konica sand, development of infrastructure in and around docks and procurement of various cargo and container handling equipment.

MORE UNI