The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways had earlier this month approved the
projects for the re-construction of berth No. 8 and the mechanisation of berth
No. 7 and 8 at the Netaji Subhash Dock.
The foundation
stone for the project was laid by Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi on March 1.
“The projects for the re-construction
and mechanisation of berths at Netaji Subhash Dock of Kolkata Dock System are a
part of the government’s drive to enhance container and cargo handling
capacity, and further mechanisation of SMPK. Tender for the projects has
already been floated. We are looking to complete the tender process and award
the projects within the next three months,” says
SMPK Chairman
Rathendra Raman. The projects will be executed on a ‘design,
build, finance, operate, and transfer’ (DBFOT)
mode.
“After the completion of the projects,
the container handling capacity of berth No. 7 and 8 at Netaji Subhash Dock
will stand at 0.48 million TEUs. Later, it can go up to 0.78 million TEUs. Under this project, three rail-mounted
quay cranes will be installed. It will reduce the detention time of ships at
the dock and increase efficiency,” Raman
says.