Kolkata: Kolkata Port Trust has decided to scrap the land reclamation programme for building deep sea port near Sagar Islands in West Bengal for want of enough funds.
"The board has decided to drop the land reclamation project due to lack of funds. Union Shipping Ministry did not offer money for the same," Kolkata Port Trust (KOPT) Chairman M L Meena said. According to sources, KPT had advocated for the port project with land reclamation at the western tip of Sagar Islands despite state-run consultant RITES questioning feasibility of the port on the western part in their interim report.
KOPT had floated a tender worth Rs 32 crore to construct dykes and reclaim earth for the project, sources said. The proposed deep sea port on 2,000 acres of reclaimed land in the sea was announced with much fanfare by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during state assembly polls last year.
KOPT tried to seek funds from Ministry of Shipping by trying to link the reclamation project with dredging.
However, the Ministry denied funds reportedly saying it has no relation with dredging activities.
PTI