Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) is planning a 40 per cent capacity augmentation to handle 90 million tonnes (mt) of cargo annually across both Haldia and Kolkata docks. The increase is expected over the next four-five years.
While Haldia port will see a near 45 per cent increase in capacity to 65 mt, up from the existing 45 mt it handles annually, Kolkata dock will see a 47 per cent capacity rise to 25 mt 17 mt of cargo, annually.
According to Vinit Kumar, Chairman, KoPT has roped in L&T Consultancy to develop a master plan, determine which sectors will drive demand, and finalise augmentation plans. He, however, did not specify the cost that the port trust would incur. The consultants will study demand patterns and cargo movement projections.
“Given the demand trend and indications from users, we have engaged L&T Consultancy for a master plan to ramp up cargo handling capacity over the next half a decade,” he said on the sidelines of a roadshow for the upcoming Maritime Conclave.
For the first nine months of this fiscal (April to December), the Haldia port has reported over 12 per cent increase in traffic volumes to the tune of 33 mt against the 29.2 mt it reported in the year-ago period.
On the other hand, cargo handling during the April-December period at the Kolkata dock remained flat at approximately 13 mt.
Ongoing expansion
According to Kumar, KoPT is already looking at a 10 mt capacity ramp-up over the next two years at an estimated investment of ₹800 crore including setting up of two liquid-terminals (₹300 crore) and a dry-bulk terminal at Haldia (₹500 crore).
While one liquid-cargo terminal (3 mt), primarily for edible oil, has been proposed at Salukhali, 15 km north of Haldia, two outer terminals — one for dry-bulk cargo (5 mt) and another 2 mt liquid-cargo terminal — have also been planned.
Similar options of having floating barges and terminal can be explored for the Kolkata dock too.
“We have received a suggestion as to whether there can be terminals outside the lock-gates in Kolkata dock area. We are exploring the proposal,” Kumar said.