Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) is to invite soon Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from firms for probable participation in the implementation of Haldia Dock II (commonly known as Shalukkhali) project through the PPP (public private partnership) route.

The project, estimated to cost more than Rs 1,300 crore, will be in two parts – Haldia Dock II North and Haldia Dock II South, each having two berths, one mechanised and the other multipurpose, and each berth having the capacity of four million tonnes.

The railway network will comprise about eight to 10 km of new line and marshalling yard and other facilities.

Land for project

About 300 acres will be needed for the project, of which about 160 acres have already been provided by the State Government. The balance quantity will be obtained through reclamation of land from the Hooghly river.

KoPT sources are hopeful of awarding the contract to the selected bidder by February next year. The draft licensing agreement is being finalised by a Mumbai-based law firm while the proposal for upfront tariff has already been placed before the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) for consideration. PPPAC (Public Private Partnership Approval Committee) should consider the shortlisted bidders around August and the price bids should be opened around October/November, the sources point out.

Meanwhile, KoPT authorities are working on modifications of certain clauses as incorporated in the RFQs earlier invited for the transloading operation proposed to be undertaken at a suitable location.

The amendments are being considered in the wake of feedback obtained from a large number of the firms that responded to the RFQs raising several points including some legal issues. KoPT authorities also consulted a Mumbai-based law firm in this regard, it is learnt.