KoPT averse to subsidise inland waterways cargo

KOLKATA: Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) is not enthusiastic on inland water cargo movement considering its low revenue benefits, a top KoPT official has said.

"As a port we are not having positive revenue benefits on cargo that is being routed through inland waterways from high sea bypassing Haldia dock," a top KoPT official told PTI.

"Our total earning impact is to the tune of 70 per cent on cargo meant on riverine route due to subsidy offered by us and other factors leading to lower revenue as compared to traditional port system," he said.

With the government's proactive push, the path-breaking initiative took off with NTPC transporting its imported coal to its generating stations at Farakka and Kahangaon through the Ganga, avoiding Railways.

Now, the Centre is gearing up to make it a popular option for ferrying coal in the region.

Ideally, that should have brought benefits to Haldia dock (KoPT) with more and more large ships using its territory for trans-loading operations.

But, subsidising such users by charging just Rs 15 per tonne as wharfage against Rs 45 and lower traffic to Haldi dock is depriving them of a higher revenue, the official said.

However, KoPT has suggested the Centre informally that either they should give the subsidy to promote riverine cargo movement or a JV can be formed involving port and major users creating inland waterways hubs, which will help to offset revenue impact of the port, the official added.