Haldia and Kolkata ports' cargo handling capacity to increase

Kolkata, Sep 7 (UNI) The cargo handling capacity of Haldia and Kolkata ports would jack up to 60 million ton during the current fiscal to enhance trade in the eastern region, Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) Chairman Dr Anup Chanda said today.

Interacting with the members of the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce (MCC) here, Dr Chanda said during 2006-07, KoPT handled 55.05 million ton of cargo, up by 3.65 per cent as compared to the previous financial year.

Dr Chanda informed that during April-June of the current fiscal, cargo handled by KoPT grew by 9.4 per cent as compared to the previous year.

He said the KoPT would spend Rs 969 crore for the development of Kolkata and Haldia ports to increase the cargo handling capacity and reduce the turnaround and pre-berthing detention time of the vessels.

Dr Chanda said the KoPT had planned to construct two riverine jetties at Haldia to improve road infrastructure, drainage, railway yards and other back-up facilities and take up computerisation and upgradation of navigational facilities in Kolkata.

He said one of such jetties had already been completed, while the other would be finished in October.

The construction of three riverine jetties at Diamond Harbour was also under consideration, he added.

UNI