A high-powered committee has recommended several steps for handling the growing container traffic at Kolkata and Haldia that include procuring more container handling equipment and setting up a Greenfield container terminal at Diamond Harbour.
The committee was constituted by the Shipping Ministry to look into the problems associated with the container traffic at Kolkata and Haldia. The report was presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Capt P.V.K. Mohan, to Mr T.R. Baalu, Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transportation and Highways.
As part of the short term recommendations for improvement of the Kolkata Dock Complex, the high powered committee has recommended induction of at least four mobile harbour cranes (MHCs) preferably one each per berth, augmentation of rubber-tyred gantry crane (RTGC), rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGC) and trailers, acquisition of modern tugs for efficient ship handling. It has also suggested uniform tariff structure for all container berths, apart from introduction of two-shift system for customs works for avoiding congestion, introducing information technology systems for better yard management.
Introduction of night navigation and nominate additional two berths for containers are some of the other recommendations, informed an official release here on Wednesday. The Committee has also recommended single window system is to be introduced to enable trade take various permissions from customs, port authorities and Container Corporation of India for speedy clearance of import and export cargo.
As a part of the long term strategy, the committee has recommended a dedicated alternate route from Kidderpore docks to the second hooghly bridge for evacuation of containers round the clock.
Additional tugs
For Haldia Dock Complex, the committee has suggested that Haldia port should take up entire container handling on its own to reduce terminal handling charges. It has also recommended deploying additional tugs, prioritising container ships to avoid undue delays and earmarking at least two berths for container ships with a minimum length of 300 m. The long term recommendations include expediting clearance of the long pending capital dredging proposal to improve draft at Haldia. The high powered committee in its recommendations ascertained the need for development of the green field container terminal with minimum quay length of 600 m on a global tender basis at the Diamond Harbour and to have adequate stack yard area, additional rail line of about two kilometres for connecting Diamond Harbour Station.
On receiving the report, Mr Baalu said that the Ministry will look into the recommendations of the committee and take necessary action at the earliest and ensure that all support facilities and improved infrastructure facilities are in place to meet the growing demands of the trade both at Kolkata and Haldia.
Also, consultants of international repute will be appointed to prepare a detailed project report and to call for global tender to set up a dedicated container terminal at Diamond Harbour, he said.
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