BL reported that a steady rise in the volume rail borne traffic from 14 million tonnes in 2002-03 to 17.3 million tonnes in 2007-08 and estimated to reach 20 million tonnes in 2008-09 prompted Haldia dock authorities some time ago to approach Rites Ltd to suggest measures for improving the dock’s rail operation. One of the suggestions has been augmentation of the locomotive fleet.

Accordingly, the dock authorities have placed firm orders for 3 diesel locomotives with Varanasi based Diesel Locomotive Works of the Indian Railways. The 3 will cost around INR 31 crore and barring unforeseen developments should be delivered within 9 to 12 months.

But then proposed acquisitions will not augment the dock’s locomotive strength substantially. This is because 2 of the 6 diesel locomotives being more than 20 years old need immediate replacement. Which means the net addition to the fleet will be one. However, the dock has 5 electric locomotives.

Meanwhile, the dock authorities have offered on licence basis about 2,800 square meters of land to the Dredging Corporation of India for constructing landing facilities for its river craft being used to carry men and materials from the shore to the dredgers deployed in the Hooghly.