Date:15/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/01/15/stories/2007011500910600.htm

Back Growing demand for land

How much land is needed to construct a jetty? The question haunts many in shipping circles in view of the demand for land these days among a section of port promoters in the private sector.

According to reports, the private promoters of a port in West Bengal insist on acquiring 700 acres of land for setting up the port with two berths. Similar reports pour in from other parts of the country. It might be noted that the Kolkata Dock System, which is an old landlord port having more than 30 berths in two dock systems — Kidderpore Dock and Netaji Subhas Dock complete with five dry docks and a plethora of other facilities spread over wide areas — has about 1,600 acres under it.

Kolkata port authorities are now building three jetties on the river front at Diamond Harbour and have occupied only around 80 acres of land in the area. It appears that the demand for 700 acres, may be disproportionately large compared to the size of the port being planned.

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