KoPT passes the buck for project failures

11 April 2012

biswabrata goswami
HALDIA, 11 APRIL: The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) authority has apparently misled the West Bengal government on the Farakka water discharge issue to cover up its failures in implementing major development projects which were taken up in the past few years at an estimated cost of Rs 6000 to Rs 7000 crore.
The issue came to light when the port's hydraulic study department revealed disclosed that the Farakka water has little impact on the Hooghly Estuary below Shalukkhali, Haldia and Diamond Harbour. They also said that the water from  the Farakka is insignificant in relation to the total amount of sea water which enters into the river during the high tide.
The matter escalated when Miss Mamata Banerjee, allegedly influenced by the KoPT chairman ML Meena, said that the ports of Haldia and Kolkata are drying up because of the flow of excess water to Bangladesh through  Farakka Barrage.
The Centre had also ordered a probe into Miss Banerjee's allegations of a conspiracy behind the breaches in the two gates of the Farakka Barrage. However, officials said that there is no question of sabotage and the damage was accidental.  River transport companies revealed that the available draft in the river beyond Nabadwip had dropped by one metre to 1.5 metres against the minimum requirement of 2.5 metres and the KoPT authorities were apprehensive of shoaling of the river at Hooghly point from March end.  “The water level in the Hooghly goes up by four to five metres and vessel movements take place during high tide." said a senior port official. "  " It is just a conspiracy to put the blame on the Farakka water discharge system in order to cover up the failed implementation of projects which were conceived by KoPT chairman Mr Meena," he added. The projects are estimated to be worth Rs 6000 to 7000 crore. The KoPT had planned several major projects, including setting up Haldia dock-II at Shalukkhali, a deep-drafted port at Sagar Island and a container terminal at Diamond Harbour.  It also wanted the initiation of trans-loading facilities connecting cargo handling at Konika Sands in Odisha with outer terminal-I at Haldia. A senior port official said that these projects were abandoned either because of techno-economic reasons or because they are entangled in legal battles with Odisha.  He also said that the KoPT chairman had furnished improper statements on the Farakka water discharge issue before the chief minister to cover up his failures. Mr Meena, however, was not available for his comment.