KoPT looking for new chairman

Kolkata Port Trust(KoPT) is all set to get a new chairman.

The Shipping Ministry put up an advertisement on its website asking for applications for the post of chairman of KoPT today.

The current chairman of the port, A K Chanda, was also chairman of Indian Ports Association (IPA).

Chanda was now on a two-year extension period due to end in June 2009.

He was first appointed chairman in June 2002, and received an extension of his period of service in 2007.

During his tenure as the chairman, the KoPT handled 57.282 million tons of traffic in 2007-08 creating an all-time record in cargo-handling in the history of Kolkata Port.

In the last seven years, KoPT has increased its cargo volume by more than 88 per cent.

Any decision on the appointment was unlikely before the Lok Sabha polls produced a new ministry at the Centre.

The existing chairman could also re-apply for the post.

Port officials declined to comment on the issue.

The Shipping Ministry could not be contacted.

Kolkata Port has been facing issues with falling draft as well as vessel congestion at the port’s entry point at Sandheads. The Haldia Dock Officers’ Forum recently claimed that it had been demanding the removal of Chanda since 2008.