Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why did the Port of Kolkata lose its leading position in cargo handling during the 1960s?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Kolkata
Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata, India.
The Port of Kolkata lost its status as India’s preeminent cargo handler during the 1960s primarily due to two factors: persistent difficulties in dredging silt from the Hugli River and significant labor challenges.1
These operational hurdles were compounded by a broader period of economic stagnation in the mid-1960s, which fueled instability in the city's social and political life and led to a flight of capital. While the port remains a vital contributor to India's foreign exchange alongside the downstream port of Haldia, these combined environmental and industrial issues fundamentally altered its leading position in the national shipping landscape.21