The Hindu Business Line : Kulpi port project stuck on draft guarantee

The officials of P&O Ports, at a recent meeting with their counterparts of KoPT, insisted on the minimum guaranteed draft in the Hooghly river. However, the port officials declined to give any such guarantee.

Kolkata , Dec. 14

NOT everything is believed to be smooth and easy with regard to the implementation of West Bengal's much-hyped Kulpi port project, a joint venture between P&O Ports and the State Government. P&O Ports, a major shareholder of Bengal Port Ltd, the company responsible for implementing the project, and Kolkata Port Trust do not see eye to eye on many matters, it is learnt.

First, it is more than six months now the validity of the MoU signed between KoPT and the West Bengal on Kulpi port project expired and no new MoU has been signed as yet. Second, the officials of P&O Ports, at a recent meeting with their counterparts of KoPT, insisted on the minimum guaranteed draft in the Hooghly river.

However, the port officials declined to give any such guarantee arguing that it being a riverine port no one on earth could give it.

"You find any expert in the world who can give such a guarantee and we will pass it on to you," the KopT officials reportedly expressed the view.

Mr J.H. Sarbh, Chairman and Managing Director, P&O Ports Pvt Ltd, South Asia Middle East, when contacted, stated, "Discussions have commenced with Kolkata Port Trust on issues pertaining to the port and these discussions will continue till we reach an agreement between both parties on the marine services that KoPT will provide for vessels which will call at Kulpi."

The process of implementing the agreements entered into between Bengal Port Ltd and West Bengal Government has commenced, Mr Sarbh said adding that a short list of consultants had been prepared and the process of appointing a consortium to undertake the various assignments was under way.

Environmental studies can only commence at the appropriate time based on the guidelines for requiring permission.

"All steps will be taken appropriately by Bengal Port together with the appropriate authorities," he observed.

Sources, however, reveal that the preparation of the detailed feasibility report at an estimated cost of Rs 6-7 crore will take time despite shortlisting of consultants, as KoPT is yet to receive approval of the Shipping Ministry for sharing information so essential for undertaking any such study.

The issue was reportedly also discussed at Bengal Port Board meeting on December 10.

It might be noted several feasibility studies including those by Howe India, Consulting Engineering Services, PricewaterhouseCoopers, were earlier undertaken on the Kulpi port project.