KoPT gets partial breather on cargo vehicle movement.... Trade to Nepal and Northeast heave a sigh of relief

PTI | Kolkata | 04 October, 2016: Kolkata Port Trust has been able to secure a partial breather from restrictions imposed on goods vehicles movement by the Kolkata Police meant for Kolkata Docks to ease congestion, which was causing an estimated daily damage of Rs.100-150 crore to exim trade, besides the port's earnings.

KoPT management, led by chairman T Krishna Babu, has secured the relaxation after the port offered clearing the Rs.225 crore flyover project between Jinjira Bazaar and Batanagar supposed to be built in PPP and placing the Kolkata Eye project in the next board meeting, sources said. "We had received partial relaxation which we had asked. First, free movement of tea and refrigerated vehicles and a sepearate window between 12 noon and 4pm for movement of trailers between container freight station and the dock," Krishna Babu said after a meeting with police and the state urban development minister.

Trade to Nepal and Northeast which largely depends on KoPT will heave a sigh of relief.

He expected the relaxation to help trade to move on which was almost chocked due to the 'aburpt' imposition of the restriction despite a firm timeline of three months was sought for to solve the parking chaos.

Moreover, KoPT has convinced customs to permit the trailers at KPD-I and II for next four months by the time parking facility for 350 such vehicles would be ready.

KoPT already saw 26 per cent decline in container movement since the restriction was imposed from September 24.

"Against an average exim container movement of 1806 TEUs (read containers) has reduced to 1328 TEUs. Yard inventory was gradually building that would finally lead to diversion of ships to otehr port," officials said.

KoPT has submitted their short and long term measures that would entail an investment of Rs.65 crore.

Port will offer Rs.85 lakh for temporary road repairs at the port area and permanent road repair of three roads at a cost Rs.15 crore.

While, for the rest nine roads KoPT had sought Kolkata Municipal Corporation cooperation.

KoPT had sought funds from Centre under Sagarmala programme to part pay 50 per cent of the Rs.50 crore capex for these nine roads in the port area.