KOLKATA PORT TRUST

         ·  Kolkata Dock System (KDS) 

1.      K.P. Docks : 18 Berths,  6 Buoys/ Moorings and 3 Dry Docks  

2.      N.S. Docks : 10 Berths,  2 Buoys/ Moorings and  2 Dry Docks

3.      Budge Budge River Moorings :   6 Petroleum Wharves 

4.        Anchorages : 

            *     Diamond Harbour

1. Saugor Road
2. Sandheads

·  Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) 

1.      Impounded Dock. System with 

        12 Berths  

2.    Three Oil Jetties  in the River  

3.     Three Barge Jetties in the River for    handling Oil carried by Barges.  

4.      Haldia Anchorage for LASH vessels

The Kolkata Dock System is situated on the left bank of the river Hooghly, The pilotage station is at Gasper/Saugor Roads and the total pilotage  distance to KDS is 145 Kilometres. KDS is situated at a Latitude  of 22°32'53" North and Longitude - 88°18'5" East.

             HDC is situated 60 Km. from the pilotage station at a Latitude of 22°02' North and Longitude - 88°06' East.

Dariapur Lighthouse (Lat. 21°47'N, Long. 087°52'E) is situated on the right bank of hugli south of Rasulpur river and about 2.7 kms inshore.  It is visible in clear weather from a distance of 35 Km.

• U.G.L.F. Lat. 21°29'57" N Long. 088°06'37.5" E
• L.G.L.F. Lat.  21°21'57" N Long. 088°10'05" E
• TALENT WK L.V. Lat. 21°17'21" N Long. 088°11'17" E
• Eastern Channel L.V Lat. 21°04'19" N Long. 088°11'07" E

500 (of which 140 are lighted). Some of  Lighted transits are unlit at present. However, KoPT is contemplating to re-lit these Transit Marks to facilitate night navigation in the stretch from Kolkata to Uluberia.  These are extremely useful in pilotage and dredging as well. These lights are operated either by electricity, battery or by dissolved Marine Acetylene Gases and are maintained by Superintendent, Dredger & Despatch Service under the charge of a Lighting Officer. There is also 1 boat buoy, 30 lighted buoys and 72 unlit buoys marking the navigational channel from Sandheads to Kolkata.

In order to facilitate speedy communication between various shore establishments and CPT vessels operating in the river wireless stations have been provided at Kolkata, Hooghly Point, Haldia and on board all dredgers, pilot vessels, despatch and survey/research vessels. In addition, these stations/vessels are also provided with VHF sets which are installed at many other vital oprational points including tidal stations within Kolkata Dock System & Haldia Dock Complex.

The Electronic Position Fixing System "Syledis" was introduced in the Port of Kolkata in 1983.The Shore based Syledis Position Fixing System functions round the clock with the help of the Syledis Stations located at Haldia, Roychowk, Dadanpatra Bar and Frazergunj.In the wide estuary, position fixing with reference to shore objects to be viewed from the deck of a vessel, is very difficult. Acccordingly, the Syledis System is operated for position fixing of the vessels plying in the wide Hooghly Estuary. The system is effectively utilized for the purpose of hydrographic survey and dredging.

Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) :

Kolkata Port Trust is replacing Syledis Position Fixing system by Differential Global Position Fixing System in phases by latest state-of the art equipments. The satellite based DGP System functions with the help of orbiting satellite and reference stations installed by KoPT. Mobile Sets on board the vessels receive  signals from the satellite as well as correction signal from the reference Stations giving exact locations of any mobile craft having the DGPS receivers in terms of latitude, longitude or in other coordinate  system along with related navigational parameters for safe navigation, dredging and survey purpose.

Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS)

All unpropelled steel and wooden boats operating within the port limits are licensed by Superintendent, Boat Registration after necessary inspection to ensure safety of goods and lives being transported by these boats.  The Licensing fees are payable as per extant Scale of  Rates.

Kolkata Port Trust is saddled with perennial problems of depth in the river Hooghly. In the past a number of regulatory schemes have been taken up. The deteriorating depths for Kolkata prompted the concerned authority to go in for selecting Haldia Docks as an auxiliary deep water port. Problems still persist for which a comprehensive package schemes was  planned by Kolkata Port Trust after detailed model studies in association with Central Water & Power Research Station (CWPRS), Govt. of India. The schemes were tested independently through mathematical models developed by the University of Hamburg, Germany.

      Reception facilities for ship generated oily waste water has been set up through procurement of anti-pollution vessels both at KDS and HDC. Regular monitoring of dock water is being carried out regularly at the dock systems of Kolkata and Haldia and the two oil recovery cum garbage collection vessels were pressed into service, wherever required.

 In a  recent meeting  under the Chairmanship of Secretary IT, it has been decided that a web based integrated solution (instead of VAN based solution) for Port-Community partners would be developed  . 

            Regarding Port-Customs connectivity, concerning Import and Export cycles for containers, messages are being transmitted by Kolkata Port (KDS) with Kolkata Customs in revised formats since May '2003. Since Jan’2003, ‘vessel sailing report’ has been made on-line between port and Customs. 

•      In Kolkata Dock System, On-line Cargo / Container Operations  i.e. On-line Container Terminal System – OCTS for 7 & 8 NSD berths & On-line Cargo/Container Accountal System – CAS for all other berths under NSD has been fully computerized on an on-line basis. The system keeps track of all the Cargo/Container operations, including processing of receipt/delivery and with prompt billing mechanism for better revenue management. These projects help  KoPT in forging ahead towards its commitment in providing IT enabled services to the trade. 

•   Recently comprehensive computerisation systems both at KDS and HDC are in the process of being implemented; wherein development of various systems softwares/modules in terms of functionalities of individual departments, are being given shape/executed etc. with on-line server connectivity, spread across depts/divisions etc. which would facilitate data sharing/exchange as decision supports. These, apart from streamlining documentation procedures would also help address faster tracking of bottlenecks & expeditious corrective action/decision making regarding key  performance areas.

Video Conferencing System

With introduction of Video-Conferencing System at KoPT in October 2003, fast and instantaneous interfacing is being established  with multi-point  system, which would help in tracking  of problems/  irritants, across the table, cutting down on both travel/ time costs, making a useful dent on effective decision making of management.

Kolkata Port Trust is looking after the maintenance of the Rabindra Setu, better known as Howrah Bridge, since its commissioning in 1943. The bridge, built at a cost of  Rs. 250 lakhs and involving 26500 tonnes of steel, is a technological marvel. 

            Through the passage of time, the bridge has witnessed unprecedented change in mode of transportation and traffic density. It had to bear deleterious effects of pollution and corrosion. Yet it  has stood the test of time, remaining as functional and as reliable as ever. This was made possible by the tireless efforts of the Bridge Engineers. Every nook and corner of the bridge is constantly monitored, weak/worn out members are identified and adequate replacement are devised,  keeping the bridge functional and in commission. 

            So far, about Rs. 25 Crores have been spent and many other schemes are on the anvil. Some of the schemes already taken up /being taken up are : 

v     Removal of tram rail from bridge deck.

v     Replacement of all expansion and anticulation joints by elastomeric type.

v     Installation of LED based aviation light.

v     Replacement of ceased bearings.

v     Repairs to damaged/spallen concrete in Rabindra Setu understructure and cellular construction. 

            Latest technologies are being used wherever possible. Thus old manually operated inspection systems are being gradually phased out by mechanical ones. All the drawings   have been digitized and archived, complete with electronic indexing.