Customs agents want early solution to the tussle between the Kolkata Port Trust and ABG-LDA promoted Haldia Bulk Terminals for continuation of smooth operations at Haldia.
“We want early solution to the problem,” Calcutta Customs House Agents’ Association President S K Koley said today at the AGM when asked about the KoPT-HBT tussle, which threatens suspension of operations.
“If this problem persists then importers and exporters will have to suffer and in this case Steel Authority and Tata Steel will suffer,” he said.
HBT is a mechanised cargo handling company at berths No 2 and 8 at Haldia. Citing low cargo the company plans to suspend cargo handling operations.
Koley expressed satisfaction over KoPT’s move to allow 10 days for clearing container cargo from Kidderpore Docks of KoPT meant to Nepal and Bhutan.
Meanwhile, KoPT Chairman Manish Jain said development projects were progressing well including, the second Haldia dock and deep sea port.
He expected the infrastructure work at the recently opened Eden channel to be over by the year-end for greater ship movement.