KOLKATA: The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT), on Tuesday, succeeded in convincing the Odisha government that it requires a deep-draughted location along the state's northeastern coast to carry out transloading operations. However, the arrangement worked out by the Odisha government may not make such operations financially viable for a private operator engaged by KoPT.
With low draught in the navigation channel outside Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) not allowing the entry of large ships with capacity cargo, it was decided by KoPT to go in for transloading of cargo at deep-draughted locations and bring it to HDC in barges. While Sandheads - which is within KoPT's jurisdiction - was one option, this location has its shortcomings. Lighterage operations from ships can be carried out at the Sandheads only during the fair-weather months between September and February. A few years ago, KoPT located another spot known as the Kanika Sands along the Odisha coast.
"We urged the Centre to declare this location as neutral waters where all ports could transload cargo. The Odisha government refused to allow this. It contended that the interests of private ports along its coast would get adversely affected. We then located another spot, about two miles in radius, to the north of Kanika Sands. Though the Ministry of Shipping had no problems, the Odisha government raised objections all over again and moved an SLP in the Supreme Court. After hearing the matter, the court directed the Centre to convene a meeting of all parties concerned and arrive at a solution. This meeting was convened in Delhi on Tuesday," a source in KoPT said.
During the day, the Odisha government finally agreed to tag the selected location with the Paradip port and allow KoPT to carry out transloading there. "To carry out operations there, charges will have to be paid to the Paradip Port Trust. Any private agency that we engage to carry out transloading operations at this spot would have to invest anything between Rs 300-400 crore. The Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) stipulates that the agency can only charge Rs 146 per tonne. Had the location been tagged with KoPT, we may have granted some concession. Under the circumstances, it seems highly unlikely that operations will be financially viable," the source added.
Source:-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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