Kolkata Port Trust renamed as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port: PM Modi

Kolkata Port Trust will now be named after Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said on the occasion of its 150th anniversary on Sunday (January 12).

The PM, who arrived in Kolkata on Saturday, is on a two-day visit of the state.

“Development of waterways has improved Kolkata Port Trusts connectivity with industrial centres in east India and has made trade easier for our neighbouring countries,” PM added.

Saying that the country coasts are gateways to development, Modi said, “our government started Sagarmala programme to improve connectivity.”

Addressing a gathering at Belur Math in Howrah district, Modi, commemorating the sesquicentenary celebrations of the oldest operating port in India, made the announcement of the name change.

Taking a dig at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he said the state government was not keen on implementing central schemes as it does not benefit “syndicates”.

He stressed that the people of Bengal should get the benefits of all central schemes.

“The Centre is making every possible effort to develop West Bengal, its poor, Dalits, unprivileged and backward sections. As soon as the West Bengal government gives its approval for Centres Ayushman Bharat Yojana and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi; people here will start receiving benefits of these schemes,” Modi added.

The Prime Minister also felicitated the two oldest pensioner of the Kolkata Port Trust, Nagina Bhagat and Naresh Chandra Chakroborty.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on, however, skipped the event.

Her name along with Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya was mentioned in the invitation.

British East India Company and is operational since 1870.

(With inputs from agencies.)