In a memorandum to the Chairman of the Kolkata Port Trust, the Association of Shipping Interests in Calcutta (ASIC) urged the former to get dredging done in the Hooghly river through a private player.
The association asked the port to examine the scope of appointing private dredging majors for better navigability on the Hooghly river. Currently, public sector Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) is responsible dredging work on the Hooghly.
On a sustained basis, the draft of the Hooghly river must be increased in order to address the deteriorating condition of the river , ASIC observed KoPT Chairman.
The association also called for speedy clearance and award of contracts for various port projects, review of land policy to encourage participation of private firms and avoidance of collection of additional charges from shipowners and shipping lines beyond the scope of Scale of Rates prescribed by Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP).
These measures are suggested by the association to the port trust to improve the functioning of Kolkata port. From April 1, KoPT is mulling an upward revisions of the present Scale of Rates, which came into force in March 2011, subject to approval of TAMP.
The memorandum emphasises the need for more facilities at the Diamond Harbour anchorage to boost mid-stream operations, revival of rail links at Netaji Subhas dock right up to 3NSD, proper maintenance of tugs and better co-ordination with the Customs Department.
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