Kolkata: Balagarh Port Infrastructure Development Ltd (BPIDL), a joint venture between Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Kolkata (SMPK) and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), has sought proposals to set up container and coal berths on a PPP model in Balagarh in Hooghly.The project is aimed at delivering trade benefits by reducing congestion from cargo movement in city areas, lowering logistics costs and helping develop an alternative trade hub.The project, with an estimated investment of Rs 407 crore, is expected to be operational in three years. “Proposals have been sought for the development of container and coal berths, along with a mechanisation project, in Balagarh. . The work order is expected to be issued in one year, and the berths are likely to be operational by Oct 2029,” a senior SMPK official said. The land for the project is available with SMPK.Bids will be invited, based on the highest royalty per metric tonne of cargo, so the project will be awarded to the bidder offering the highest royalty to BPIDL. An official said the selected bidder would set up the project on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis. Following the bidding process, BPIDL will sign a concession agreement with the successful bidder for 30 years. “The capacity of the berths will be 1.9 MTPA for container and 0.8 MTPA for bulk cargo,” an official said, adding to meet the projected increase in traffic and overcome restricted cargo movement within the city limits, SMPK intends to shift part of its operations to Balagarh.
