Kolkata, Oct 19 (FN Representative) India’s only riverine port – the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP)- has taken up multi-pronged projects, including proving night navigational system to augment its cargo handling capacity from existing 87 million tons to about 110 million tons by 2030, according to newly appointed SMP chairman PL Haranadh. Listing SMP’s achievements, including turnaround from loss a loss incurring to a profit earner of Rs 120.51 crore in 2021-22, Haranadh told mediapersons at his maiden conference that they have taken multi-pronged actions of Rs 2400 crore to enhance cargo handling capacity upto 110 million tons in next seven years.
Currently the port in its dual dock system at Kolkata and Haldia with a capacity of 87.35 million tones, is handling over 3000 vessels with a cargo handling of around 60 million tones and a share of around 8-9 per cent of cargo handled by the Indian major ports. He said the SMP is now planning about 26 per cent ramp-up in capacity by 2030. Haranadh, who is the Chairman of Paradip Port Authority, on October 9 took over the additional charge of SMP, Kolkata. The SMP is considering to add capacity addition at 4.02 mt, and plans to set up OT-2 for handling of liquid bulk cargo at HDC (Haldia dock).
It also aims to build a floating riverine barge jetty with two floating cranes at Sagar/Sandheads at Haldia Dock System. Using the knowhow of Antwerp Port, Belgium, SMP is set to start night navigation between Kolkata and Sagar Island, the chairman said. In the next three months the first phase of navigation will be conducted till Budge Budge. In six months, the entire route- Sagar Diamond Harbour, Budge Budge, and Kolkata- will have a night navigation system, Haranadh added. The Rs 17.3 crore project involves a satellite-based system with virtual buoys installed on the Hooghly river to help ships sail 24X7 in the opur of Kolkata.