Container terminal to be set up in D Harbour

Kolkata, June 11 (UNI) With the objective of transforming Kolkata into an international shipping gateway, a committee under Ministry of Shipping would recommend setting up of a container terminal in Diamond Harbour.

''There is potential of increasing container traffic by 20. We aim to do so by focussing on the infrastructure aspects of KoPT, Haldia and Diamond Harbour,'' National Shipping Board Member PVK Mohan told mediapersons here today.

A high-powered committee, under the chairmanship of Captain PVK Mohan, has been constituted by the Ministry of Shipping to study various aspects of containerization at Kolkata Dock Systems and Hjaldia Dock Complex. The committees also consist of Shipping Corporation of India CMD S Hajara, Joint DG Shipping Lukose Vallatharai, MMD Principal Officer Capt L K Panda and SCI Regional Manager Suresh G Thiwani.

The committee would submit its report within four months.

''With the Look East Policy in view, east has the potential to become the gateway of India,'' Joint Director General of Shipping Lukose Vallatharai, who is also a part of the Committee which visited the city during the day said adding that though KoPT is growing at the rate of 33 per cent, there is still huge scope for growth.

''The containerization must take place in rapid manner as there is a huge gap in this segment and there is need for more investments,'' he said.

The growth potential of KoPT, Haldia must go hand in hand which can be dovetailed with the proposed container ternminal in Diamond Harbour, he mentioned.

The container traffic growth of Haldia had come down in the recent times while the trend is just the opposite in the rest of the world, Mr Mohan said.

The high-powered committee would also make field visit to Kolkata, Haldia and Diamond Harbour. In its second meeting, scheduled next month, the committee would meet a cross section of stakeholders, port users, shipping lines and port officials to understand the real problems.

The committee, Mr Mohan said, also aims to revive Inland Water Transport (IWT), which may act as a growth catalyst. The Centre has granted Rs 500 crore for revival of IWT last year.

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