Kolkata port unveils first rail-linked CFS

The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) launched the first rail-linked container freight station (CFS), built by Container Corporation of India (Concor), at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore. A total of 21 boxes were transported by a train from the Netaiji Subhas Dock (Berth 7) to the bonded area of the CFS for Customs inspection. Once the inspection is complete, there will be dispersal of the boxes either by train or by road. The CFS, complete with a bonded area of about 14,000 sq m, including a covered warehouse of 1,000 sq m, has the capacity to handle 1,500 TEUs a month. Availability of space should enable the corporation to step up the capacity of the CFS depending on the growth of throughput.There are three other CFSs in the area. These are operated by Central Warehousing Corporation and Century Plywood, but being road-linked, create congestion which in turn throws up myriad of other problems.