The Kolkata Port Trust, the second largest port in India, has decided to go in for a major expansion of its existing facilities and set up new multi-purpose cargo handling jetties and berths with an investment of around
Rs 969 crore.
The trust will construct three cargo-handling jetties at Diamond Harbour to strengthen the dock system and develop infrastructure in and around the dock complex entailing Rs 360 crore. KoPT also plans to construct two riverine jetties, lay up berths and a second lock gate in the Haldia Dock Complex.
Consulting Engineering Services has done a feasibility study for the deep draft port and is awaiting clearance from the shipping ministry. The trust is working on modalities required for land acquisition at Haldia for construction of the jetties and it may need 85 acres of land initially.
The port has chalked out a massive plan for the modernisation work at Haldia through the PPP model.