According to Mr ML Meena chairman of KoPT, Kolkata Port Trust will invite Requests for Qualification for the proposed Haldia Dock II project within two months and for Sagar port project in another six months.

Mr Meena said that "The preparation of detailed project reports for the two projects are in progress and should be complete in due course.”

The land acquisition would not be a problem for any of the two projects, he made it clear pointing out that about 200 acres had already been received from the West Bengal Government for Haldia Dock II.

KoPT as the chairman informed, was now working on a suitable land policy within the guidelines earlier laid down by Centre. The draft policy would be placed for consideration of the Board of Trustees of the port by next month and on approval would be sent to the shipping ministry for clearance.

He indicated that the Tariff Authority for Major Ports had before it proposals from KoPT for revised schedules of rent.

The proposal to privatize the operation of four container berths, two each at Kolkata Dock System and Haldia dock, and all four functioning as an integrated system, evoked good response from shipping lines so much so that some of lines which had withdrawn services from KDS were now keen to come back.

(Sourced from Business Line)