RPS Kahlon, Chairman of the Kolkata Port Trust informed that the port was negotiating with the two lowest bidders to reduce the bids for operating two berths at Haldia Dock Complex (HDC).
The port wants the price to be below Rs 200 per tonne, Kahlon said at an event of the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
But the lowest bidder — TM International Logistics (an arm of Tata Steel) — quoted Rs 247 per tonne. The second-lowest bidder was JM Baxi and Co. The CPT now wants to negotiate with the bidders for a lower price.
Haldia Bulk Terminal (HBT), which was the earlier operator at both the berths, used to charge Rs 75 per tonne. A joint venture between ABG Infralogistics and French firm Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, HBT used to handle cargo at the berths 2 and 8 in Haldia.
The port trust invited fresh bids for operating the berths after HBT stopped operations in November citing lack of cargo and unsafe working conditions following the manhandling of its officials at Haldia dock.
Kahlon said the CPT was looking to normalise operations at the two berths following the exit of HBT.
The CPT also hopes to select the final bidders for the Haldia Dock II project at Salukkhali by March 28.
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