The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port has asked Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to import more of oil and liquid bulk cargo through the Haldia Dock Complex. IOC had recently expressed their interest to expand Haldia refinery for which they need 175 acres of land which is currently on lease to Hindustan Fertilizer. The refinery expansion is long overdue according to the port authority. According to the top management of IOC, the Haldia refinery is very crammed. It currently has only 630 acres of land for 8 million tonnes capacity, while Paradip has 3300 acres of land for 15 million tonnes capacity.
According to Vinit Kumar, Chairman, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, the 175 acres idle land is still with Hindustan Fertilizer. The PSU had 450 crores of payment due to the port ministry relating to the land, which they have not cleared. While the government has waived the due, when the Hindustan Fertilizer returns the land to the port authority they will allot it to somebody who brings more cargo to the port.
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Last 2005-8 saw in the same HFC Haldia where self was involved in installing HNO3, H2SO4 plant along with NPK plant in 1977-78, involving 280 acres in it, which if could have been including Sulphur berth of Hindustan lever could have had better for Tata Coking Coal import via Haldia port but for Land imbroglio. Good news IOC has contemplated its Refinery extension. Even balance Jungle HFC could have had NPK etc Recovery, like in Durgapur HFC rather only thinking new plant rather revival of older one.