Global bids called for deep sea port in West Bengal

But the Centre was not sure whether the average draft at Sagar Island is high enough to justify a deep draft port.

The port authorities had also sought the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency for a feasibility report on the Sagar Island project, but were unsuccessful.

Last year, a delegation of West Bengal government officials visited China and was quite impressed by a new port being built on an island located about 30 km from the Shanghai coast. The distance from the coast to the port in the sea is covered by a six-lane highway.

Following the visit, the Shipping Ministry held a meeting to discuss a Shanghai-type deep-sea port in West Bengal. The Ministry has now asked for consultants or a consortium who can work on the deep sea port, right from selecting a site along the 220 km coastline of West Bengal till the commissioning of the port.

In the first phase, they have to study alternative locations that can at least accommodate cape-size vessels. Hinterland connectivity, estimated cost and the feasibility of physical infrastructure required to run a port are the other factors that will influence the choice of location. The ministry has set July 31 as the last date for receiving bids.