KoPT help sought in Rasulpur port plan

KOLKATA: Amma Lines, a subsidiary of the Mumbai-based Meka Group, has sought the Centre’s intervention for construction of a deep-draft port at Rasulpur in East Midnapore. The Centre is likely to ask Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) to look into the matter.
The issue came to a head a day after shipping minister Nitin Gadkari assured the state government of all assistance in creating a deep-draft port facility at Sagar Island.Senior port officials, however, feel that a port facility at Sagar may not be feasible due to the exorbitant costs involved and lack of necessary infrastructure.
On the other hand, a port facility at Rasulpur holds more promise.
In 2010, Amma Lines had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bengal government for a port at Rasulpur. Later, the company was issued a letter of intent (LoI) by the state. According to C K Singhania, director, Amma Lines, the company then proceeded to get clearances from central government departments.
“We received little support from the state government. Finally, in November, 2014, the LoI was withdrawn. We have moved court against this and also urged the Centre to look into the matter. We have come to know that the Centre is likely to ask KoPT to try and resolve the issue,” Singhania said.
The draft at Rasulpur is nearly 13m and there will be little need for dredging. The port, if it comes up, will be able to handle Panamax, Handymax and Supramax vessels with loads of 50,000-60,000 tonnes.
There is also sufficient back-up space and the highway and railway station are barely 10km away. Roads exist, which only need to be widened. According to Singhania, locals had come forward with offers of land when officials visited the area.