Kandla port plans major expansion

August 4: The Kandla Port Trust KPT, the leading port among 11 major ports, has chalked out an ambitious expansion-cum-development plan...

August 4: The Kandla Port Trust KPT, the leading port among 11 major ports, has chalked out an ambitious expansion-cum-development plan. The Ministry of Surface Transport had formulated a detailed perspective plan 8211; Vision 2020 8211; for Indian port sector through RITES, New Delhi. High Point Rendel of UK and Prof E G Frankel of MIT, USA, the world renowned consultants in the field, have also been associated in drafting the Vision 2020.

The Indian Ports8217; Association, New Delhi, has already conducted the feasibility study and the government has accorded in-principle approval to this project. Steps are also being taken to appoint a consultants for preparation of techno-economic feasibility report to develop Tuna as a full-fledged satellite port.

The ministry has approved construction and development of additional four cargo berths on BOT basis and global tenders have already been invited by the KPT for the purpose. As the response for BOT projects was lukewarm, KPT proposes to undertake the construction of further general cargo berths in a phased manner from internal resources. Accordingly, a provision of Rs 5 crore for each berth has been provided in the annual plan, 1999-2000.

KPT has also planned to push the cargo handling capacity of the port by the constructing an additional berth on BOT basis at a cost Rs 47.89 crore. KPT board, which met recently has also decided to allow private participation in the ongoing construction of 8th cargo berth. A scheme for construction of three additional storage godowns was also approved at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 5 crore. It is expected that the first godown among the three planned is set to be completed by the end of 1999.

KPT will complete the construction of the Rs 25 crore fourth oil jetty by March 2000. With the commissioning of this oil jetty, the existing cargo handling capacity of nearly 130 lakh tonnes of liquid carge will be increased by an addition 20 lakh per tonne per annum.

The BPCL has been given the approval in principle to go ahead with the construction of their captive liquid jetty on nomination basis. A memorandum of understanding between BPCL and KPT will be entered shortly in this regard. The estimated cost of the project is about Rs 40 crore and traffic projection is 20 lakh tonnes per year.