Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata—Sesquicentennial Bulletin

Chairman’s message

On behalf of the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port,
I would like to extend my greetings and good
wishes to all the members of the Port family, our
esteemed Trade Partners and valued Port Users
on this momentous occasion of the 150th year of
our Port.

I would like to take this opportunity to express
my sincere gratitude, especially to all the Port
employees, who have been carrying out their
duties bravely in the face of the pandemic Covid
-19, making it possible to maintain normal port
operations, despite the severe challenges.

As we observe our 150th year, marking a glorious
chapter in the history of the country’s oldest
port, we have also set our goals to achieve greater
heights for a vibrant future. Starting with only
four riverside screw-pile jetties on the Strands,
and providing bare minimum port facilities to vessels that had been calling at the Port at
that time, we have come a long way.

It is undoubtedly a feat for a government entity to continue to carry out business successfully
for 150 years, self-financing, self-governing, and adapting to the changing political, social,
and economic settings in the country. Despite going through a myriad challenges of the
two world wars, partition of the country, political upheavals, falling depths in the Hooghly
threatening navigability, flight of cargo among others, the Port has not just survived but has
thrived,by reshaping its policies and leveraging its available resources to optimal use. We
surely have reasons to be proud!

Being a riverine port with a long channel of 232 km from the Sandheads, it also has the
unique advantage of connecting the upstream inland water ports of the North and the
North-Eastern states of our country. The Port is well positioned to tap the potential of inland
waterways, with the visible boost in the Government of India’s policies in that sector, as
well as the ‘Act-East Policy’. Apart from modernizing our facilities for handling of cargo and
associated logistics, we have been making significant strides in digitalization and automation
for providing fast, faultless, and fine service for our esteemed Users.

The Port has been fortunate to have a significant size of estates that can be suitably
developed and utilized to generate resources, in line with the Government of India’s policies
of asset-monetization.

You would be happy to know that the Port has been making significant progress in terms
of cargo handling, and has clocked a record of 63.983 million tonnes during 2019-2020,
surpassing its previous year’s record of 63.763 million tonnes.

I am humbled and honoured to be a witness to a landmark year in the history of the Port. We
are justifiably proud to have our Prime Minister inaugurate the sesquicentennial celebrations
in the city, during January this year with other events and intiatives scheduled for the rest
of the year. It became possible due to the leadership and guidance of the Hon’ble Minster
of Shipping (I/C) Shri Masukh Mandaviya. However, owing to the circumstances prevailing
beyond our control, the other celebrations had to be curtailed and necessitated us in
adopting the ‘new normal’ way of virtual platform.
Nevertheless, we have continued with our socially relevant activities and beneficial measures
for our employees, including additional medical facilities for our retired employees which
has been widely welcomed.
We are honoured to be able to associate ourselves with the inauguration of a 100 kilo-
watt Roof Top Solar Power plant to meet the electricity requirement of the main temple of
Ramkrishna Mission, Belur Math in this historic year.
Last but not the least, our Medical Department has been providing yeoman’s service with
screening of crew of incoming vessels, setting up of a 100-bed isolation ward, running
quarantine facilities and taking necessary care of affected employees.
Amidst the trying times prevailing in the world today with the economies reeling and
uncertainty looming in every sphere, the SPMP Kolkata has been steadfast and consistent in
carrying out its port operations, thus keeping the wheel of international trade and commerce
moving. I firmly believe that we shall be able to proceed with our march of progress further
and continue to occupy a coveted position amongst the major ports of the country.
In this milestone year of the Port, let us rededicate ourselves to serving the cause of the
trade and commerce of the country for many many more years to come.

Vinit Kumar, IRSEE

Chairman, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata
(Erstwhile Kolkata Port Trust)
17 October 2020

SESQUICENTENNIAL YEAR - THE GRAND START

Sesquicentenary Celebrations Inaugurated by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble
Prime Minister, at Netaji Indoor Stadium on 12 January 2020

Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Governor of WB and Shri
Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Shipping (IC) graced the occasion at the grand function held
on 12th January, 2020 at Netaji Indoor Stadium, honouring the journey and successes of an icon of
Indian maritime trade history.

A Host of New Initiatives Flagged Off by Shri Narendra Modi

Inauguration of ship repair facility at Netaji • Creates an ecosystem for ship repair
Subhas Dock • Generates employment opportunities

Inauguration of full rake handling facility and • Increases movement by railways
dedication of upgraded railway infrastructure of • Reduces road congestion
Kolkata Dock System
Launch of Mechanisation of Berth No. 3 at Haldia • Improves operational efficiency
Dock Complex • Creates more capacity to support industry
Laying of foundation stone of Liquid Cargo • Caters to the rising demand of vegetable oils
Handling Terminal at Haldia Dock Complex
Launch of the proposed Hooghly riverfront and other liquids
development scheme • Reduces congestion and handling cost
• Provides social and cultural spaces for the
Inauguration of Kaushal Vikas Kendra and Pritilata
Chhatri Niwas for 200 girl students of Sundarban citizens
• Encourages cruise tourism and investment

opportunities
• Gives opportunities for vocational training

and employment
• Helps in social and economic upliftment

Commemorative Stamp Handing Over the Cheque

The Prime Minister launched the customised commemorative A cheque of INR 501 crore was presented to Shri M. R.
“My Stamp”, created as a tribute to the legacy of the oldest Kumar, Chairman, LIC of India towards one-time annuity
port of India. contribution ensuring the statutory fulfilment of the
pension liabilities for the port employees.

Felicitation of Two Centenarian Pensioners
Two of our very senior pensioners, Shri Nagina Bhagat (105 years old) and Shri Naresh Chandra
Chakraborty (100 years old), were felicitated by the Prime Minister on this occasion.

Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Inaugurated Son et Lumière at the
Iconic Rabindra Setu from the Millennium Park on 11 January 2020

Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Governor of West Bengal, Shri
Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Shipping (IC) and Smt. Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of
West Bengal, graced the occasion on 11th January, 2020 at the curtain raiser event at Millennium
Park for sesquicentennial celebration of Kolkata Port where Dynamic light & sound show of Rabindra
Setu (Howrah Bridge) was launched and history of Howrah Bridge was showcased through a water
screen projection.
This was followed by laying of Foundation Stone of the Sesquicentennial Commemorative installation.

Inauguration of RFID, CCTV Operations and 3 Truck Parking Terminals
at KDS in October 2019

Union Minister of Shipping (Independent Charge) Shri Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the RFID
Operation at KDS, CCTV Operations at KDS and Rabindra Setu along with 3 Truck Parking Terminals
at KDS. Merit awards were also presented to meritorious wards.

Cruise Tourism on the Ganges
River cruise vessel, Ganges Voyager II,
flagged off by Chairman in October 2019
from Indenture Memorial Jetty, a historic
place with an old Clock Tower on SMP,
Kolkata land at Khidirpur as a part of
SMP’s efforts to promote cruise tourism.

Special Tableau displayed by MoS at the Republic Day Celebrations in New Delhi
A special Tableau showcasing Glorious Past and Vibrant Future of the port, commemorating the 150th
year celebration, depicting multifarious activities, was displayed in a colourful pageantry at the Republic
Day Celebrations held at Rajpath in New Delhi, on 26 January 2020.

PORT PERFORMANCE

Upward Trend of Cargo Handling over the Decades

Continuous Growth in Container Handling over the Decades

Top in Vessel Traffic among Indian Major Ports

Performance Highlights and Other Activities: Breaking Records

• Cargo Throughput 2019-20 63.983 million
tonnes (mt) of traffic handled creating an
all-time record in the history of the port
surpassing the previous highest of 63.763 mt
handled in 2018-19. SMP Kolkata ranked 5th
in cargo handling and 3rd in Container traffic
among Indian Major Ports.

• HDC achieved an all-time record in cargo
handling of 46.68 million tonnes (3.25%
growth) in 2019-2020 against a national
average growth of 0.82% by Indian Major
Ports.
• KDS achieved the highest ever container
throughput of 6,75,439 TEUs in 2019-20
against 6,51,549 TEUs in 2018-19 i.e. a growth
of 3.67%.
• On 27.03.2020, highest ever handling of
22,600 MT of Steam Coal in a single day at
Sand-head Lighterage point by deploying
2 nos. of Floating Cranes for MV GOLDEN
ENTERPRISE. The previous highest handling in
a single day with Floating Cranes at lighterage
point was 20,320 MT on 03.02.2020, deployed
for MV THARKEY.

• M.V. Ismene discharged 32,150 MT of Steam
Coal by MHCs at Berth No. 1 of HDC on
26.07.2020, creating a new record of import
discharge in a single day. The previous record
was 28,100 MT of Pyroxenite by M.V. Roberta.

• At Berth no. 13 (erstwhile Berth No. 12) of
HDC, 16190 tonnes of Steel Coil was loaded
on 30.9.2020 in M.V. DD Voyager, a record
shipment of Steel Coils in a single day,
surpassing the previous highest of 14488
tonnes of steel cargo loaded on 28.2.2020 in
M.V. Darya Jamuna at Berth no. 13.

Highest Discharge of Steam Coal at KDS Highest Parcel Load of Steam Coal at
For the first time, 61853 MT of Steam Coal HDC in a Decade
was discharged from fully loaded Supramax
Bulk Carrier MV Ilektra at the anchorages at On 26th June, 2020, M.V. Bulk Japan (DWT
Sandheads and Sagar, destined to KDS by 82951, length 228.29 m & width 32.26 m) berthed
barges in November 2019. at HDC of SMP, Kolkata. The vessel carried a
parcel load of 38207 MT of Steam Coal, which is
one of the highest parcel loads handled within
the impounded Dock of HDC in a decade. This
has been possible due to improved draft.

Barge M.V. Pruthvi Moved through Highest Cargo Handling in a
Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route Single Day at HDC
On 30th June, 2020, the Barge M.V. Pruthvi
sailed from HDC of SMP Kolkata to Pangaon HDC achieved the highest cargo handling of
Port, Bangladesh, on her maiden voyage, 2,03,246 tonnes in a single day on 26.01.2020
carrying 45x20 feet Exim Containers with surpassing the previous highest of 2,00,195
Sponge Iron Lumps. This voyage is the first of its tonnes handled on 27.01.2019.
kind through Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route.

Highest Discharge of Coking Coal in a Single Day at HDC, SMP, Kolkata
On 21.08.2020, M.V. Dona Tara, discharged
32,200 metric tonnes of Coking Coal a/c. Tata
Steel at Berth No.9 of HDC, SMP, Kolkata, which
is a new record of import discharged in a single
day. The previous record was 32,150 MT, being
attained on 26.07.2020. Both records were
achieved despite the challenges being faced
during COVID-19.

Flagging Off the First Trial Movement of Container Ship from SMP,
Kolkata to Agartala and Assam via Chattogram Port

It was a historic day in the maritime relations
of India and Bangladesh when the Union
Shipping Minister on 16.7.2020 digitally
flagged off the first trial movement of
container ship from SMP, Kolkata to Agartala,
(Tripura) and Assam via Chattogram Port.
The NER (North Eastern Region) of India is
now connected by sea-ports of Bangladesh
as the new route will reduce time and
logistics cost for cargo movement and
expand economic activities, employment
opportunities and usher in prosperity to both
India and Bangladesh. After 55 years, since
1965, Bangladesh is allowing its ports for
movement of transit cargo to NER states. A
new service between KDS and Chattogram
through Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route
was introduced on 3.7.2020.

Historic Occasion of Forging Regional 1st Full Rake of Containerised
Connectivity with North-Eastern Rice Shipment
Region States
As a part of ease of doing business, today,
CM of Tripura received the first movement of Haldia Dock Complex, SMP, Kolkata along
transit goods at Agartala via Chattogram Port with HICT welcomes 1st full rake (90 TEUs) of
on 23.7.2020. Containerised Rice Shipment between ICD
Durgapur and Haldia.

Ease of Doing Business during COVID-19
For the 1st time under its constant Ease of Doing
Business endeavor, KDS on 10.5.2020, handled 5
break bulk packages at Mobile Harbor Crane Berths
a/c M.V Reinhard Schepers. As a part of EODB,
again on 25.5.2020, four consignments of Buses
meant for Nepal Airlines were discharged at NS
Dock by Mobile Harbour Cranes from the Vessel M.V.
Reinhard Schepers. SMP, Kolkata has been receiving
overwhelming response to its initiative of enabling
handling of large Break Bulk packages by MHC.

TRADE PARTNERS & STAKEHOLDERS

Counselling of Trade Associates
Counselling session conducted at Haldia Dock for supervisors of workers and stevedores.

Visit of Hon’ble Consul Farewell to Nepal Consul
General of Germany General at Kolkata

German Engineering Federation (VDMA) with Farewell to the outgoing Consul General of
Dr. Feiner, Hon’ble Consul General of the Federal Nepal at Kolkata, H.E. Eaknarayan Aryal, the
Republic of Germany in Kolkata on a visit to SMP outgoing Consul General of Nepal at Kolkata on
Kolkata. 17th March, 2020.

Fixed Window Scheme for Container Vessels
M/s Bengal Tiger Line (India) Pvt. Ltd. and M/s FAR Shipping (India) Pvt. Ltd. successfully won the
bids for Feeder Operators for Fixed Window Berthing of container vessels at MHC berths (4-5 NSD
side) for two windows - one for ‘Monday Berthing - Wednesday Sailing’ and the other for ‘Wednesday
Berthing - Friday Sailing’.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

BIMSTEC Summit
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for furthering Trade cooperation between the Ports of India
(Visakhapatnam, Kolkata and Chennai) with Port Authority of Thailand (Ranong Port) was signed
during the maiden conclave on Ports of BIMSTEC nations on 07 November 2019.
BIMSTEC Port Conclave takeaways: Customs facilitation across ports, joint safety security aid plan,
green energy for ships and others.

Heritage Seminar
An International Heritage Seminar was organised on 30th January 2020, near The Indenture
Memorial, on the theme of Indentured labour and the Ganges, which is a unique legacy of the Port
as an originating point for the large number of indentured labour that went to different parts of the
colonial world through this river. Prof Geraldine Forbes, Distinguished Professor of History, New York
State University, Oswego delivered the keynote address. Shri M K Singh, Director General of Police,
Home Guard, West Bengal, Prof Renu Modi. Mumbai University, Prof Himadri Lahiri, Netaji Subhash
Open University and Prof Ishani Naskar, Rabindra Bharati University were the other speakers,
reminiscing the social and cultural perspectives of the Diaspora. The Memorial, visited by descendants
of Immigrants from all over the world was set up in January 2011.

Visit of Union Minister of Shipping (IC), Shri Mansukh Mandaviya
to the Maritime Archives and Heritage Centre

Medical Booth at Ganga Sagar Mela
In its 150th year Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata provided a medical booth at Sagar Mela for the
benefit of pilgrims coming from far and wide for the holy dip during Makar Sankranti in January 2020.

Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally
Participation in The Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally at Fort William, Kolkata on 19th January,
2020 as part of the 150-year celebrations of SMP, Kolkata.

Mock Drill at 2nd Oil Jetty of HDC Saving of Trees after
SMP, Kolkata organized a mock drill at 2nd Oil Amphan Devastation
Jetty of HDC, SMP on 12.12.19 to combat the Efforts are made at SMP, Kolkata to save trees
likely crisis arising out of Oil fire and spillage after Amphan devastation. Staffs are trying to
in association with NDRF, Coast Guard, CISF, replant the trees with the idea “SAVING TREES
Police, West Bengal Fire Service, Oil Industries IS OUR DUTY”
and other concerned Port Users.

Additional Medical Benefits Announced for Retired Persons
Keeping with the spirit of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, to take care of its retired employees,
a slew of medical benefits was approved by the Board in February 2020. This included reimbursement
of the costs of hip replacement, knee replacement, coronary bypass graft surgery, coronary
angioplasty with stent, cost of diagnostic procedures for detection and treatment of cancer, cost of
MRI, CT Scan, biopsy and a host of other critical investigations.

Observance of World Environment Day
The Port has always been committed to
improving the environment and greenery.
On World Environment Day (5th June, 2020),
a number of initiatives were taken by SMP,
Kolkata. More than 50 big trees, partially
uprooted during Amphan Super Cyclone at
Haldia, were replanted with effective use of
men and machines, with pledge to revive/
restore the lost greenery in the years to come.
Measures were taken for new plantation.

Observance of International Day of Light at SMP, Kolkata by
Dynamic Lighting of the Howrah Bridge

On the occasion of International Day of Light on 16.05.2020, The Howrah Bridge was majestically lit by
SMP, Kolkata, erstwhile Kolkata Port Trust to pay tribute to COVID warriors in the country.

Digital Hygiene under Swachhta Pakhwada
A Webinar was conducted on ‘Digital Hygiene’
under Swachhta Pakhwada on 28.9.2020. Shri S.
Sarkar, DDG, NIC spoke on Digital Sanitization,
cyber security, data breaches which have gained
importance as SMP, Kolkata is making steady
strides towards Digitisation of its Operations. As
part of Swachhta Pakhwada, webinar on Health,
Hygiene and Covid was organised at SM port. Dr. M.
Sahu, MD, Asst Prof, PH, MoHFW, GoI shared critical
concepts about hygiene and safety in Covid times.

Celebration of Tagore’s 159th Birth Anniversary & Dynamic Lighting of
Howrah Bridge by SMP, Kolkata

“From Darkness to light”-Message of Hope on Tagore’s 159th Birth Anniversary (08.05-2020) Rabindra
Setu (Howrah Bridge) lit up in the tricolour representing our resilient nation in battling the COVID-19
outbreak. Again, on the 74th Independence Day, on 15 August 2020, this cantilever marvel was lit up
in the majestic splendour of the tricolour.

Foundation Stone Laying of Toilet Block at Brooklyn
Under the guidance of Ministry of Shipping, GoI and as a part of Swachhta Pakhwada, foundation
stone for Toilet Complex at Brooklyn was laid by Dy. Chairman, SMP, Kolkata, on 30 September 2020.
This is a Swacchta initiative of SMP, Kolkata in collaboration with KPZEWA & Sulabh International SSO.

Tribute to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on 6 July 2020

CARING FOR THE SOCIETY

Installation of Solar Panels at RK Mission, Belur Math
100 KW rooftop solar power plant sponsored by SMP Kolkata as a CSR gesture on its 150th year.
The plant will meet the requirement of the entire Main temple of the Math.

Vocational Training Centre and ‘Astarag’ - a Home away from Home
Residential Facilities for Girls of the ‘Astarag’, a ‘home away from home’, run by CPT
Officers ‘Wives Association provides a dignified
Sundarban Area life to about forty residents in their advanced
Kolkata Port has provided financial assistance years.
for setting up a vocational training centre and
residential facilities for girls of the Sundarban
area. ‘Kaushal Vikas Kendra’ for training girls
in needlework and computer skills, and a
3-storeyed hostel ‘Pritilata Chhatri Niwas’ for
residential purpose, have been constructed by
Sundarban Kalyan Ashram, affiliated to Akhil
Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram for 200 girl
students of the region.

INITIATIVES AND MITIGATION MEASURES FOR COVID-19

Uninterrupted Port Operations

• Port operations continue with skeletal staff without stopping
even for a day

• Arrangement of cars and buses for movement of skeletal staff
considering social distancing measures

• Oil handling continues at Outer Terminal jetties without
interruption

• Rail operations of container movement at KDS (e.g. Birgunj)
and Coal movement at HDC supported with skeletal staff

• No vessel banned from docking at Kolkata or Haldia; although
vessel crew banned from getting off the vessels

Pilotage with full PPE Thermal Screening of Vessel Crew
Pilots equipped with full PPE, overcoming As a preventive measure against COVID-19,
personal discomfort and boarding vessels. thermal scanning of ships crew round the clock
Commenced with Vega Alpha that arrived from started at HDC since 29.1.2020. Over 10,000
port Kelang, Malaysia in March 2020. crew across 500 ships have been scanned.
Medical facility is extended to crew as and when
required.

Sanitization at Kolkata Dock and Haldia Dock
Massive sanitization (with sodium hypochlorite) drive in offices, canteen & Berths of HDC & KDS.
Thanks to our officers, staff & unions.

Sanitization at the Head Office
Sanitization drive conducted in
Head Office at Kolkata.

Port Hospital Initiatives for COVID-19
• A functional 100-bedded, dedicated COVID floor
• A 4-bedded High Dependency Unit
• Screening of foreign returned Port officials.
• Medicines for chronic ailments to be issued for 3 months at a time.
• Aged people with chronic ailments advised not to visit the hospital; medicines to be collected by

their relatives.
• Visiting hours for wards cut down to one hour and only one visitor is allowed inside
• Visiting hour for ICU has been restricted
• Reimbursement has been allowed for expenses towards the purchase of medicines

Observance of Independence Day at Centenary Hospital of SMP, Kolkata
A special function in observance of the 74th Independence day was held at
the Centenary Hospital, SMP, Kolkata, to lend moral boost to all the doctors/
nurses/ medical and para medical staff, who have been in the forefront as
Covid warriors, treating the suffering patients with dedication and selfless
care.
Chairman took the lead in tree plantation ceremony, held on the occasion,
which was symbolic of renewed hope and faith in the joyous continuity of life.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Hosting of Major Ports Hockey SMP, Kolkata Emerges as the
Championship Champion in Major Ports Table Tennis
SMP, Kolkata won the Champion’s Trophy in All
SMP, Kolkata hosted the 41st All India Major India Major Ports Table Tennis Championships
Ports Hockey Championship 2019-20 from 9th -2019-20 at Mumbai from 4.12.19 to 6.12.19. SMP,
to 13th December, 2019, where Mumbai Port Kolkata dons the mantle of achieving the unique
won the Champion’s Trophy and Kolkata Port feat in as many as 18 occasions in the last 23 years,
emerged the Runners-up. being held in the All India Major Ports Circuit.

SMP Encouraging Sports & Observance of 6th
Physical Activity International Yoga Day
To deal with the stress of COVID-19 Pandemic,
as well as to maintain physical well-being,
SMP, Kolkata observed 6th International Yoga
Day on 21.6.2020, in accordance with the plan
of MoS, GoI.

Run for Unity

Observing the birth anniversary of
Sardar Ballabhbhi Patel, Chairman,
SMP, Kolkata, administered ‘Rashtriya
Ekta Diwas’ pledge to Sr. Officers of
HDC at Haldia and a unity march with
pledge was also organised at Kolkata.

Renovated Head Office Canteen Encouraging Cultural Activities

Vigilance Awareness Week, November 2019
Closing Ceremony of Vigilance Awareness Week graced by Shri Anindo Majumdar, IAS and Secretary,
Central Vigilance Commission.

Conducting Interactive Skill Development Programme
A three-day on line interactive skill development programme by CRRI for the Engineers & construction
agency personnel of SMP, Kolkata was conducted on 24.09.2020 to develop and maintain roads and
civic infrastructure. The programme was inaugurated by Prof. Satish Chanda, Director CRRI.

Observance of International Nurses Day at SMP, Kolkata
International Nurses Day was
observed on 12.5.2020, to mark
the contributions of the Frontline
Warriors. Medical Department
organized a programme at the
Centenary Hospital to express
thanks and gratitude to the Nursing
fraternity.

Plasma Donation Camp at Centenary Hospital, SMP, Kolkata
To help treat COVID-19 patients, nine CISF
personnel and one physician from SMP,
Kolkata donated Plasma at the Plasma
Donation Camp organised at Centenary
Hospital, SMP, Kolkata.

Pensioners Portal & Employees’ Portal Apps
SMP, Kolkata developed Pensioners Portal & Employees Portal apps by using existing server and
available resources, without any additional financial outgo, where-in all pensioners and employees
can view the details relating to their pensions/ salaries under the Portal.

Training on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and
Nuclear (CBRN) Emergency Management

Five-day programme (18-22.11.2019)
on basic training on Chemical,
Biological, Radiological and Nuclear
(CBRN) Emergency Management at
Major Ports was jointly conducted by
NDMA, INMAS & IPA with support of
NDRF, being held at SMP, Kolkata.

Farewell Programmes organized on the Last Working Day every Month

WOMEN IN THE PORT

The Women Leaders of the Port
In the recent past, our country has seen many women taking up active roles in some of the the most
unconventional and male-dominated professions, be it the armed forces, para-military forces, the
airlines, railways, or the marine profession. They have proved their mettle in all these fields working
shoulder to shoulder with their male colleagues. Three women fighter pilots of the Indian Air Force
touching the sky with glory is another tale of breaking the last male bastions!
The SPM, Kolkata has been well ahead of the others in being the first port in the country, admitting
women officers in their Marine Department with Ms Sarbari Roy joining the Hydrographic Survey wing
in 1992 and Ms Reshma Nilofer Naha qualifying as first River Pilot in 2018.
Ms Reshma Nilofer Naha has been conferred with the prestigious Nari Shakti Award by the President
of India on the International Women’s Day on the 8th March 2019, for the year 2018, and Ms Sarbari

Roy was felicitated for her outstanding achievement in her profession for being the first lady Marine
Commander, on the 6th March 2020 by the Department of Women, Child Development & Social
Welfare, Government of West Bengal.
Amongst the other women professionals, the Port has 11 Doctors, 3 Engineers, 2 Chartered
Accountants and about 23 Generalists carrying out diverse responsibilities in Estates, Planning,
Traffic, etc, both in KDS and HDC.
Last but not the least, there are about 180 women who are working as ‘Sisters’ in the Medical
Department, and other office staff in various departments, who are empowered women working with
dignity and pride in an open and safe ambience of this Port.
Such achievements of the women leaders would continue to be the role models in the society for the
younger generations to aspire for.

MARVELS IN THE MAKING

Special Sesquicentennial Volume

The special sesquicentennial volume, in electronic
format, would aim to capture the rich and varied
tapestry of the ecosystem within which Kolkata Port
has survived, thrived and evolved to cater to the
economy of India, throughout it’s glorious voyage
of 150 years. The publication will feature articles,
memoirs, experiences, illustrated visualisations and
pictorial representations on the following topics
• Growth and development of international

trade and commerce
• Advancement of maritime trade through

various government policies
• Development of port and other infrastructures
• Constant challenges faced by a riverine port
• Impact of technology on cargo handling and

allied activities
• Effect of digitalisation in the port business
• Accelerating port-led development under

Sagarmala National Perspective Plan
• Growth of coastal trade and revival of inland

waterways
• Emigration from the port in the 19th century

and the Indian diaspora
This will indeed be a collector’s item with immense
archival value.
Tentative date of release: January 2021.

Special Commemorative Installation

‘Utsav’—the 33 feet high special commemorative
installation under carving — is designed by
Tapas Sarkar, a talented sculptor, who has won
multiple awards for his work. The form depicts
that unity, in association with rhythm, gives us
the strength and promise to achieve success.
The human figures united together to raise the
boat, symbolically representing great heights,
are encircled by other figurines participating in
sesquicentennial celebration, telling the story
of the first riverine port of the country.