Kolkata Port cancels 20 year land lease deal with Navy

The Kolkata Port Trust wants the Naval authorities to return about 50 acres of land at Haldia Dock which it had leased out some 20 years ago.

KoPT contends the land has not been used so far for the purpose for which it was leased. It wants to create back-up facilities for its proposed riverfront jetty.

When the Defense authorities failed to respond to KoPT’s pleas, the latter served it a notice terminating the lease agreement.

According to the agreement, six months’ notice is required for the lease termination to come into force. At the last meeting of the Board of Trustees of KoPT, the Naval Office in charge also a member of the Board, took strong exception to KoPT’s action.

KoPT is nevertheless ready to provide an alternative site on the riverfront to the Navy. It has offered 10 acres at Jellingham immediately and the balance of 40 acres at some other place. However, the Navy’s response to KoPT’s offer is understood to be lukewarm.

The Navy’s reluctance to return the Haldia Dock land has led to uncertainties about one of the two riverfront jetties proposed to be developed at the Dock.

(Sourced from http://www.steelguru.com/news/index/2009/09/09/MTEwODYy/Kolkata_Port_cancels_20_year_land_lease_deal_with_Navy.html)

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