KoPT awards Rs. 1,119-cr port contracts

In order to streamline the cargo handling services at the port, the Kolkota Port Trust (KoPT) has recently awarded the contract to the Vishakhapatnam-based Dredging Corporation India (DCI) entailing an investment of Rs. 1,119cr. It may be recalled that DCI has been carrying out the maintenance and dredging for Kolkota port channels for the past 30 years. The contract was normally awarded by the Central Government on nomination basis in the past. In accordance with the new policy, the KoPT had called for global competitive tenders for maintenance dredging in the shipping channel, leading to Haldia Dock Complex in the Hooghly Estuary for five years in the beginning January, 2017. The DCI is the successful lowest bidder in the competition, wherein, seven Indian and foreign parties participated in the pre-bid meeting for the tender and only two parties participated in the tender and the DCI was the only party which got technically qualified for the tender.