KoPT thrust on infra development to remain competitive

The new chairman of Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) Vinit Kumar is optimistic about the port's furure despite its limitations being a riverine port and says that sustained infrastructure development will induce efficiency and help it stay afloat at a time when competition among ports turns intense in the east coast.
"We have undertaken several projects from improving infrastructure and new projects to improve efficiency," Kumar told reporters today at an interactive session.
Among the major projects which are expected to be awarded in the current fiscal are outer terminals I and II in Haldia Dock, setting up of liquid cargo handling jetty at Shalukkhali, a second rail line from Durgachak to Haldia at a cost of Rs 105 crore.

In Kolkata Dock System, upgradation of rail tracks and road connectivity are been taken up this year.
All these projects will help faster turnaround of cargo and improve efficiency to bring down overall cost, the chairman said.
Kolkata Port is also planning a RoRo vessel project for goods trucks crossing the Ganges from Kolkata to Howrah side in order to reduce road congestion and increase movement of trucks to and from the Kolkata docks.
A few operators are holding talks in this regard, Kumar said.