The Hindu Business Line : Proposal to make Kolkata port look at buying land in Nandigram

Kolkata, Sept. 17 The issue of acquiring about 2,500 acres at Nandigram by Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) came up for discussion at a meeting between the Chairman of KoPT and the members of the Save Haldia Dock Committee at Haldia.

The land, it was felt, would be needed for shore disposal of the dredged spoil. Now, the dredged spoil are dumped into the Hooghly, throwing up myriad problems. The shore disposal, therefore, is being contemplated to improve dredging efficiency so badly needed to save the dock from heavy siltation.

Land plan docked

The proposal for acquiring land at Nandigram for shore disposal is not new. It was mooted earlier but was abandoned in the wake of the recent political turmoil ultimately leading to death of a number of people in police firing in Nandigram. First it was decided that the West Bengal Government would acquire the land and hand it over to KoPT. However, the West Bengal Government, following the police firing and the consequent unrest, decided not to acquire any land at Nandigram.

It is now felt that instead of going through the State Government, KoPT should explore the possibility of acquiring land at Nandigram, subject to the approval of the Union Government. But KoPT has to cough up a much higher price for the land than earmarked earlier for the proposed acquisition. Earlier, the price, it is reported, was fixed at Rs 2,00,000 an acre. What will be the price now is anybody’s guess.

Other options

The Haldia meeting also discussed various options to improve dredging in the Hooghly near Haldia dock to save the dock and these included deployment of more dredgers, particularly new and efficient dredgers, and the implementation of the recommendations of the Naphade Committee.

The non-implementation of the recommendations has cost the port dear, said some members of the Save Haldia Dock Committee.

River Regulatory Scheme

The implementation of the River Regulatory Scheme came up for review. Originally, the scheme was due for implementation in 2002 but nothing has happened as yet. Meanwhile, the cost has gone up from the original Rs 300 crore or so to more than Rs 1,000 crore.

The Chairman of KoPT made it clear that he was doing everything within his powers to improve the navigability of the Hooghly near the dock.

More Stories on : Shipping/Ports | Real Estate & Construction

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
International flights from Vizag

Vizhinjam terminal gets Shipping Ministry nod

Proposal to make Kolkata port look at buying land in Nandigram

ABW wins 90-year lease rights

Ministry favouring international players, say highway builders