No takers for KoPT's capacity expansion under PPP model

In yet another setback post the pull-out of India-French joint venture Haldia Bulk Terminal (HBT) from Haldia, Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has now failed to get any private player to build the proposed Salukhali Dock.

Despite the controversy over HBT's pull out from Haldia in November last year, KoPT went ahead with its capacity expansion plan inviting Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Haldia Dock II project, at Salukhali, close to the existing Haldia dock.

The Rs 1,700-crore project to build four berths at Salukhali, was proposed to be executed under PPP model. Although, KoPT had earlier claimed many private players were keen to participate, the tender floated seeking a interested private player for the project, has seen no response. The project would have added 23.4 million tonne capacity.

“This is true that there was no proposal. But we have got 160 acres land from the state for the project. Also, KoPT has nod from the public private partnership appraisal committee (PPPAC) for the project. KoPT can always float a tender for the project,” an KoPT official said.

West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee, however, declined to comment on the issue.

Sources indicated that this might be fall out of HBT's pull out from Haldia citing law-and order issues. HBT, a joint venture between homegrown ABG Infralogistics and French company Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, had signed an agreement with KoPT to operate two mechanised berths in existing Haldia Dock till 2020.

However, HBT found itself in political turmoil after the berth operator retrenched 275 employees citing low cargo allocation by KoPT. HBT had also alleged “vested interest” in diversion of cargo to the expensive manual berths, run by former Trinamool MP Swapan Sadhan Bose promoted Ripley & Co. This finally culminated in HBT's exit from Haldia Dock Complex in November last year.

Incidentally, KoPT tender, seeking a replacement of HBT, too has fallen flat as both the participants --TM International Logistics Ltd and J M Baxi & Co – quoted handing charges, which KoPT said was not affordable.

After failing to get a replacement for of HBT in the first attempt, Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has decided to go for re-tendering to find a operator in two mechanised berths in its Haldia port.