HDC, which is under the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) is facing a severe crisis due to lack of adequate river draft in the navigation channel. As large cargo vessels can't enter the port facility with capacity load, it is fast turning commercially unviable for importers who are turning to other ports like Dhamra and Paradip on the Odisha coast.
"Dredging at Haldia is conducted with central subsidy but the results haven't been up to expectations. It is time to explore innovative models. Dredging operations can be handed over on a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. There are several companies in Holland that are very good. Chinese dredgers are also available at cheaper rates. It is always good to explore the Public Private Partnership (PPP) route as it is target oriented. If the BOT model is adopted, the agency involved can keep half of what it earns and pay us the remaining," Gadkari said.
The minister made it clear that HDC's survival is crucial as several states and industries depend on it. There is proposal for investment by a petroleum company as well, he said. "The Sagar port will also come up. We are ready to invest Rs 3,000 crore for this project. We are laying a lot of stress on inland movement of cargo of cargo and passengers. We want to connect the North East to Haldia through the Brahmaputra. Coal for NTPC's plant in Farakka is already moving upriver in barges from Haldia. Everything will be discussed when I visit the Kolkata and Haldia ports," he added.
Apart from the fact that the Sagar port will be able to handle larger vessels, it will also be crucial for security in the Bay of Bengal region. Though Indian Navy ships patrol the Bay of Bengal, they have no port to berth and take in supplies. These ships dare not enter the ports of Haldia or Kolkata due to the narrow and treacherous navigation channels. So much so, the Navy is also ready to bear a part of the costs of the port as it will serve their purpose.
According to sources in KoPT, an international agency — HR Wallingford — is presently carrying out a study to determine the best process for dredging of the Haldia channel. The report will be available by the end of the year. Presently, dredgers of the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) are clearing silt in the channel.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Nitin gadkari,Kolkata Port Trust,Haldia Dock Complex,Dredging Corporation of India
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