The Port of Kolkata has completed its 150 years in Jan 2020. This is the 1st Port in India which was set up by the British in 1870. This is the longest reverie Port in the world and the gateway of Nepal and Tibet.

Port has planned many projects to solve its problems and enhance capacity from70 tpa to 110 tpa. Now as per treaty between India and Bangladesh, this Port is opened to Bangladesh trade. Similarly, Indian barges are allowed from Kolkata Port to Assam via Bangladesh. This old Port is facing many problems but still, there is growth in cargo traffic. 

 Longest riverine Port

The Kolkata Port is situated on the bank of the River Hooghly, which 145 kilometres inside from the Bay of Bengal. The total pilotage distance is 166 kilometres. This is the longest approach navigable road in the world.  Port has two dock systems -Kolkata Dock System at Kolkata with the oil wharves at Baj Baj and Haldia Dock Complex at Haldia.

The major Container traffic of Kolkata Port moves by feeder service. The feeder service is well connected with Colombo, Singapore, and Port Kelang hub ports. The lower draft of Kolkata Port (7 meters) discourages shipping lines from making frequent trips to Kolkata. This is the main hurdle of Kolkata Port.

Haldia Dock Complex

The original draft of Kolkata Port was 9 -meter.

But it came down to 6-7- meters due to siltation in Hooghly river. Therefore, the Port found another location where more draft was available. Thus Haldia dock complex came into existence in 1967 as an extension of Kolkata Port to handled bigger size of vessels.  The original draft of Haldia was  11 meters. Now it came down, up to 7 to 8 meters due to siltation. Kolkata Port was spending around Rs 300 crores every year for maintenance on capital dredging. But a draft was not improved. Meanwhile, the Central Government also discontinued subsidy for dredging. Only Kolkata Port cannot spend a huge amount of dredging on its own.  There was also a problem of contractual obligation with the dredging (D.C.I) company. Thus Port was finding a new site for container traffic.

Diamond Harbour Container Terminal project

The Kolkata Port had decided to construct a new container terminal at Dimond harbour under PPP model. Development of a dedicated Container Terminal at Diamond Harbour, in the East bank of river Hooghly, was recommended by a High-powered committee set up by the Shipping Ministry.

The project site was around 50 km South of KoPT by road.

The first phase of the project was 900 meters. quay length with projected container traffic of  1. 2 million TEU. There was a 9-meter draft and after dredging, it could be deepened up to 14 to 15 meters.  Kolkata Port had floated a global tender on 25 July 2011. The total cost of the project was Rs 2005.4 crore.  But this project is not started yet. 

Trans loading facilities

After that, the Kolkata Port decided to enter into the open sea to overcome the problem of draft restriction. They found one site 200 KM South of Haldia. There was 50 meters of draft available to handle large ships carrying coal. This was proposed trans-loading operation at Kanika Sands off Orissa coast. The Shipping Ministry had approved this project in Oct 2010. According to Kolkata Port planning, capsize vessels were transferred cargo to trans loader @ 40,000 tonnes per day and leaves after completion in 3 days. Then same cargo to be moved by barges to Kolkata Port. But actually, this site was in the jurisdiction of sea limit of Odissa State (near Dhamara private Port). Therefore, Odissa Government went in a Court of Law against Kolkata Port. Supreme Court advised to both the parties to sort out this matter amicably. Meanwhile, Shipping Ministry had advised to Kolkata Port to stop on this project. 

Sager island project

After, Haldia dock, Diamond Harbour and Trans loading project, Shipping Ministry and Kolkata Port had planned greenfield project at Sagar Island.

The Sagar island is located at 150 KM south of Kolkata. But here again, the natural draft was only 9 meters.

The container had to transport 150km by road. The Port planner released that project may not be economically viable. Meanwhile, the West Bengal Government came up with the Tajpur Port plan. Therefore, the Sagar Island project is dumped.

Nayachar island project

The Dhamra Port with an 18-metre draft is also a threat to the survival of Haldia Port. The  Subarnarekha and Tajpur ports were coming up as a competitor to Kolkata Port. Therefore, Kolkata Port had planned new Port on Naychar island as a survival strategy.

 Now, in the Jan 2020, the Port has planned new projects include upgraded Ship repair facility, upgraded railway infrastructure. expansion of inland waterways connectivity through integrated transport policy.

 The Port is facing many problems such as siltation of Hooghly River, draft restriction, dredging time-consuming cargo handling methods and high cargo handling cost etc. But Kolkata Port has been trying to float the Port and serve to the nation. India and Bangladesh have signed MOU to start Coastal Shipping services and inland waterways from both the countries. India has opened its Kolkata ports to Bangladesh traders. This is a good sign for Kolkata Port to enhance its service to neighbouring Country. 

Dr Sham Choughule

Mob.: 9969029226 • Email: shamc2001@yahoo.co.in