The Kolkata Port is set to see significant improvements with the proposed night navigation facility and the Balagarh terminal. The SMP is working with IIT-Chennai and Belgium’s Port of Antwerp to introduce night navigation over the next three months, and the terminal is expected to be operational in the next two years. The terminal will handle both container and bulk cargo and is set to be constructed on 100 acres of port land on the island. The new facilities are expected to improve the port’s productivity by 30% and reduce congestion and pollution. The port will also introduce “virtual buoys” to guide vessels along the distance between Sagar Island and the Kidderpore Dock System. The total cost of the Balagarh terminal is expected to be around Rs 450 crore, and SMP is expected to handle over 65 million tonnes of cargo by the end of 2022-23.
The Syama Prasad Mookherjee Port, formerly known as the Kolkata Port, is set to enhance its productivity by 30% with the proposed night navigation facility and the upcoming Balagarh terminal worth Rs 450 crore. The SMP is working closely with IIT-Chennai and Belgium’s Port of Antwerp to implement night navigation over the next three months. The Balagarh terminal is expected to be operational within the next 24 months. The terminal will handle both container and bulk cargo and will be constructed on 100 acres of port land on the island.
According to SMP Deputy Chairman (Kolkata), Samrat Rahi, “The upcoming terminal along with night navigation will significantly enhance the port’s productivity. The initial plan was to introduce night navigation until Uluberia, but the port has now decided to extend it until Diamond Harbour.” At present, the night navigation system is available till Haldia. This decision is expected to improve the turnaround time of ships from Kolkata docks by 30% and a capital expenditure of Rs 17 crore will be required.
The port will also introduce “virtual buoys” to guide vessels along the 130-km distance between Sagar Island and the Kidderpore Dock System (KDS), and a digital 3D simulation of its docks will be used for night navigation with the aid of artificial intelligence. This is expected to save at least USD 10,000 for a ship in retention damages.
To expedite the ‘Extended Port Gate Facility’ at Balagarh, a team of senior officials, including SMP Chairman P L Haranadh, visited the project site last week. “Currently, the project is in advanced planning stage. The idea is to shift cargo in barges at Diamond Harbour with a floating crane and bypass the Kolkata Dock. This will have dual benefits– decongest the port and reduce city pollution,” said Rahi.
The total proposed cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 450 crore, out of which Rs 350 crore is expected to come from public-private partnership (PPP) partners for the construction of berths, procurement of equipment, and development of associated facilities. SMP is expected to handle more than 65 million tonnes of cargo by the end of 2022-23, according to officials.
In conclusion, the SMP’s new facilities and investments are expected to bring significant benefits to the Kolkata Port, with improved productivity and reduced congestion and pollution.
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