Government approves Rs 1,707 crore projects to enhance Kolkata port capacity

The government on Thursday approved two projects for enhancing capacity of Kolkata Port by 23.4 million tonnes (MT) at an expenditure of Rs 1,707 crore.

The projects will enable Kolkata Port Trust to enhance its capacity by 23.4 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) and meet the demand for coal and other bulk cargo in the hinterland of Kolkata Port, it said.

Industrial development, commerce and trade of the eastern and north eastern parts of India are inseparably linked with the growth of Kolkata Port, the statement said.

It added that the projects are critical for meeting future needs for export and import of dry bulk cargo by
various steel industries, power utilities and coal and iron ore mines and other local industries.

The two projects will also lead to the socio-economic development of the region and thereby generating more employment, the statement said.