The Calcutta High Court on Thursday observed that the ABG-LDA run cargo handler Haldia Bulk Terminals can take out its equipment from Haldia port.
On October 31, HBT decided to withdraw its operations from Haldia port and leave a 10-year contract with the Kolkata Port Trust mid-way citing law and order problems.
According to sources, the court rejected KoPT’s application seeking permission to stop HBT from removing its equipment. KoPT had claimed that the private operator caused “huge damages” to the port by withdrawing operations mid-way.
The court will appoint special officers to oversee the entire process of taking out the equipment from Haldia port. It has also directed the East Midnapore district police to assist them, if any law and order problem arises.