KPT Port launches ₹600-cr capacity addition

To keep up the growth momentum, the Kolkata Port Trust has decided to upgrade the existing infrastructure and mechanization of a berth in Haldia at an investment of ₹330 crore. Apart from improving the loading of railway rakes it has also lined up ₹300 crore investments for a barge terminal project at Balagarh in Hooghly district to decongest Calcutta port and the bidding process is set to start shortly. With the revival of steel industry, SAIL in its 2030 vision also plans to achieve 300 million tons capacity and this will require inputs and most of it will come to this area and in view of this the KPT management is preparing itself to cater to the emerging business opportunities, chairman, KPT, Vinit Kumar said, elaborating that there are growth opportunities for the port in LPG and LNG and the trust is coming up with two more terminals — one close to Haldia and one in Salukhali. One terminal, for which it has already secured environmental clearance, will be ready in 18 months and for the other it is going to get clearance soon. Among others, the port authority is also augmenting railway evacuation infrastructure in Calcutta for container cargo and plans to further improve the road condition in the port area for easier traffic movement.