For mechanised cargo handling at Haldia port the Kolkata Port Trust on May 27 decided to invite fresh tenter applications. The port authorities have proposed the inclusion of a risk-and-purchase clause in the contract this time.
This is the third time the port trust is inviting tenders for the work. Since ABG LDA run Haldia Bulk Terminals pulled out from the Haldia port in October last year citing law and order problems, KoPT floated tenders twice to rope in a new contractor. But the lowest bid quoted was higher by Rs 100 a tonne or more than the original deal on both the occasions.
The Board of Trustees of the port decided to discharge the tender for the second time after OSL IRC Enterprises quoted Rs 173 a tonne, the lowest bid. HBT used to operate at Rs 75 a tonne.
The Board formally expressed concerns over repeated receipts of high value bids from the interested bidders. Sources, however, claimed that the tenders have been rejected twice in order to benefit certain stevedores at Haldia port.
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