Gadkari hints at solution for Haldia port cargo issue

The authority is looking for an amicable solution with the aggrieved parties to settle the case

The imbroglio over selecting an onshore dry bulk cargo handling agent for two berths in Haldia Port might end soon. The port authority is looking for a settlement with the consortium that had moved court against the tender process.“We are considering options of an out-of-court settlement,” said Union minister Nitin Gadkari, here for inaugurating a biodiesel dispensing unit at the Haldia Dock Complex.

Since Haldia Bulk Terminal (HBT), a joint venture between LDA of France and ABG of Mumbai, pulled out of Haldia port in November 2012, Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) had floated five tenders for selecting a party to run the two mechanised berths (numbers 2 and 8) in the port. Last month, EC Bose & Co was selected as the lowest eligible bidder by the port’s tender committee, among the seven bids. Right after, Global Enterprise and Snigdha Logistics petitioned the high court here, arguing their tenders had been unfairly rejected, as their bids were lower than EC Bose’s. The HC ordered a fresh round of price bids after it upheld the petition.

With a professional cargo handler absent, port observers allege strong-arm tactics of local political bosses continue and the port’s effort to lower its cost remains in jeopardy. In November 2012, HBT had pulled out after a controversy with the port authorities and the local administration over failure to provide protection to its employees who were targeted by mobs, who had the tacit support of their rivals. HBT had signed an agreement with KoPT to operate two mechanised berths till 2020. HBT found itself in political turmoil after the berth operator retrenched 275 employees citing low cargo allocation by KoPT.

The minister warned against “vested interests” and said corruption would not be tolerated. “The port is still in loss and corruption is a root cause,” Gadkari said.

HBT had also alleged “vested interest” while pulling out from the port. There have been allegations that cargo was being diverted to expensive manual berths, run by a former MPs’ promoted company.

Narrow escape for Gadkari

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari escaped unhurt on Wednesday when a piece of cloth got stuck in the rotor blades of his helicopter while landing in Haldia, West Bengal. "…but there is no accident. I am safe,” Gadkari, told reporters. A carpet or flags should not have been placed, he said.