Kolkata’s draught has shrunk to 7m
Big ships can’t reach the port
Heavy silting makes navigation inefficient
Draught at times drops to 6.3m
Ships offload cargo mid-route
Delays and dredging are routine
Northeast depends on Chittagong
Nepal & Bhutan rely on Hooghly
Any disruption affects regional trade
Centre backs Sagar Island
State prefers Tajpur
No alignment = No port
India needs a deep-sea port:
✔ Accepts full container ships
✔ Seamless road & rail links
✔ Joint political will
Ports drive growth
Eastern India can’t afford delay
Logistics must match ambition