Kolkata Port needs to review tariff policy: Study

The Kolkata Port, which is grappling with an old infrastructure and suffering from the lowest draft, need to review the existing tariff policy, a study said today.
"There is a need to review the existing tariff policy with special reference to phasing of cross subsidies and suggest ways for adoption of a more realistic tariff policy for the port sector," the study by ASSOCHAM-ICAI said.
Besides, the role of the Traffic Authority for Major Ports may be reviewed with a view to make suitable recommendations, the study noted.
The study also slammed the port for poor quality of services and business attitude along with over staffing and lack of capacity.

Infrastructure, including rail-link and allied logistics for the proposed Diamond Harbour Container Terminal need to be streamlined at the earliest, an Assocham statement on the study said.
The study recommended there was a pressing need to increase the draft in Kolkata Port to 14 metres from seven metres.

The draft in Kolkata Port was inadequate for dealing bigger ships, the use of which is an important component in reducing costs, it said.
There is also the need to get around red-tapism and expand the pace of dredging which also has been inadequate, it added.
"Kolkata Port is strategically one of India's most significant ports with a vast hinterland comprising eastern India that includes West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, UP, MP, Assam, North Eastern states and two landlocked countries, Nepal and Bhutan," the statement said.