KoPT to extend consultancy service for ports abroad

Kolkata, Nov 14 (UNI) Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has decided to provide consultancy service for setting up riverine ports abroad, KoPT Chairman Dr A K Chanda said today.

Interacting with the members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Dr Chanda said the service would initially be extended to Myanmar and Nigeria followed by other countries and an approval in this regard was sought from the Centre.

Dr Chanda hoped that the Government's nod would be available by next month.

''It is important to strengthen the dock and port systems in the country, but at the same time we want to extend our expertise abroad to help make KoPT a global player,'' he observed.

Dr Chanda informed that the Deep Sea Port project was in final stage and it would be implemented after identification of the location by the consultants.

He said a new jetty, comprising five terminals, would come up at Diamond Harbour for handling container vessels which was expected to be operational by 2010.

Referring to Haldia, Dr Chanda said two new berths with modern ship-to-shore equipment would be set up at the port by August, 2008 which would increase the cargo handling capacity from 8000 tonnes per day to 20,000 tonnes per day.

UNI