Kulpi

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Kulpi| type = city | latd = 22.08 | longd =88.24
locator_position = right | state_name = West Bengal
district = South 24 Parganas
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 4
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = | population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Kulpi is a small port town, located in South 24 Parganas district of the Indian state of West Bengal, about 78 km south of Kolkata and about 25 km from Diamond Harbour, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly river. It is the site of the proposed port-cum-special economic zone. It is on NH 117 and is 72 km from Sealdah on the Sealdah-Lakshikantapur-Kakdwip-Namkhana track of Eastern Railway.

Geography

Kulpi is located at coord|22.08|N|88.24|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/28/Kulpi.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kulpi] ] . It has an average elevation of m to ft|4|m|abbr=on.

Economy

Port-cum-industrial complex

Comprehensively master-planned, the Kulpi Economic Zone will combine modern all weather port facilities, environment-friendly ship breaking yard, and an industrial park in a single integrated hub. The estimated project costs are: (1) Rs. 455 crore (USD 104.6 million) for the port facilities, (2) Rs. 430 crore (USD 98.8 million) for the industrial park, and (3) Rs. 40 crore (USD 9.2 million) for the ship breaking complex, making it a total of Rs. 925 crore (US$ 212.6 million) for the entire project. [ [http://www.wbidc.com/old/whats_happening_may2001/infrastructure/kulpi.htm West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation] ]

Dubai-based DP World, world’s third largest port operator, took over the greenfield Kulpi Port project as part of its acquisition of P&O in February 2006. The first phase will have a 450-metre quay. The second phase will add 450 metres of quay. DP World's partners in Kulpi Port are Indian firm MKJ Enterprises and the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC). [ [http://archive.gulfnews.com/business/Shipping/10091988.html Gulf News.com] ] Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, has reaffirmed commitment to Kulpi Port. He said that Dubai World was committed to the Indian state of West Bengal's development and to being involved long term in the progress of the important Indian economy as part of its global growth strategy. [ [http://www.ameinfo.com/107040.html Press Release on 8 January 2007] ]

The construction of the minor port in South 24 Parganas will mean that 150,000 people living in 90 villages will face eviction, according to the Committee for protection of residential and farm land. There are more than 40 brick kilns, employing more than 18,000 people, spread over 60,000 bigha area. . Besides, there are offices, a few thousand shops, cottage industries and small factories which will also face eviction. There are six gram panchayats in the area where the port is proposed to be set up. Most of the people of this area are agriculturists. [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/30769016.cms Times of India 23 January 2001] ]

Politics

Sakuntala Paik of CPI (M) was elected member of the state legislative assembly from Kulpi in the 2006 elections. [ [http://archive.eci.gov.in/May2006/pollupd/ac/states/S25/Aconst124.htm Assembly election results] ]

Kulpi is part of Mathurapur (Lok Sabha constituency). [cite web
url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S25/WB_Dist_PC_AC.pdf
title = Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies
accessdate = 2008-10-02
work = West Bengal
publisher = Election Commission of India ]

External links

* [http://wikimapia.org/270570/ Google satellite view of Kulpi crossing on Diamond Harbour Road]

References