Govt approves Rs 1,707 cr projs to enhance Kol port capacity

NEW DELHI: The government today approved two projects for enhancing capacity of Kolkata Port by 23.4 million tonnes (MT) at an expenditure of Rs 1,707 crore.

"The CCEA has approved the projects for the development of multi-purpose berths and mechanised berths with allied facilities on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer basis at Haldia Dock II (North) for a period of 30 years at an estimated cost of Rs 821.40 crore and at Haldia Dock II (South) for a period of 30 years at an estimated cost of Rs 886.10 crore," an official statement said.

The projects will enable Kolkata Port Trust to enhance its capacity by 23.4 MTPA and meet the demand for coal and other bulk cargo in the hinterland of Kolkata Port, it said.

Industrial development, commerce and trade of the eastern and north eastern parts of India are inseparably linked with the growth of Kolkata Port, the statement said.

It added that the projects are critical for meeting future needs for export and import of dry bulk cargo by various steel industries, power utilities and coal and iron ore mines and other local industries.

The two projects will also lead to the socio-economic development of the region and thereby generating more employment, the statement said.