Kolkata, Nov 25 (IANS) The shipping ministry has expressed concern over the mounting navigability maintenance costs of Kolkata and Haldia ports and asked authorities to justify the existence of these ports.
To continue a port in Kolkata with the present depth of 4-5 metres “seems to be a liability”, said a letter signed by R. Srinivasa Rao, director of ports operations at the ministry, and sent to the Kolkata Port Trust chairman Oct 20.

“It is understood that a deep sea port in nearby Sagar Island was proposed in the past. The reason for not relocating the port at Sagar Island or any other place having normal draught may also be indicated,” the letter said.

The ministry has also asked the port trust chairman to justify the existence of the port at Kolkata in view of difficulties in evacuation of traffic due to “complexity of a metropolitan city” and “abnormally high” pilotage costs, or expenses incurred to guide ships along the river channel.

The letter noted that half of the port trust’s income came from estate rentals and government subsidies.

According to port officials, close to Rs.300 crore is spent a year to maintain navigability through dredging.

“The viability of the port in the absence of estate rentals and government subsidy may be justified,” the letter said.

When contacted, Minister of State for Shipping Mukul Roy described the letter as a “routine affair”.

“There is no doubt that Kolkata port will continue to exist,” Roy said.