LHI designs India’s second largest container port

Move to avoid closure:

Lanka Hydraulic Institute Ltd. (LHI) was awarded the project of mathematical model studies for RRM for improvement of Draughts in Hooghly Estuary, where sediment deposits at the entrance of the river has made India’s second largest container port redundant.

Hooghly River is on the west of the town of Hooghly, which is approximately 40 kilometres away from Kolkota.

It is said that Vasco-da-gama, the Portuguese sailor was one of the first Europeans to reach this area which was a river port back then.

The Portuguese used the Hooghly River as a main way of transportation and also as a trading port.

The town of Hooghly, which is more than 500 years old, was soon transformed into a major commercial centre and the largest port in Bengal in the 1500’s and is today considered one of the most economically developed districts in West Bengal due to its main cultivation - industry of jute.

The formation of sand bars has raised the river bed, making the shipping channel shallow.

Many of India’s power companies, steel and chemical plants and refineries are spending massive amounts to divert their cargo through other ports.

In a situation nearing closure LHI was awarded to conduct the mathematical model testing, at their very own laboratories at Katubedda, Moratuwa. Clients can gain visual access to the proceedings through IP Cameras fixed in the flume / basin.

“The model studies are proposed to be carried out using a combination of 1D and 2D modeling techniques to design a suitable model.

The wave impact in the lower estuary of the Hooghly will be studied using the Spectral Wind Wave model. The stirring of sediment of outer bars from wave action is important,” said Senior Engineering Manager of Water Resources at LHI N. K. M. Nanseer. “3 dimensional hydrodynamic software is utilized to identify the stratification and salinity gradient.

In addition, the understanding of the assessment of disposition and optimization of the channel alignments is important which we’re hoping to study through a 3D model”, said Nanseer.

LHI has a team of competent, driven and highly skilled engineers in spheres of Coastal Engineering, Water Resources and Urban Water, who possess knowledge and skills harboured locally as well as internationally. Chief Executive/Director of LHI Malith Mendis said, “during a time of a global financial crisis, every company in the industry, around the world, is aiming to secure projects such as these.

I believe we were able to win the Hooghly River project because of our proven, quality service that speaks louder than words.” “Another project that we worked on quite recently was the Krishnapatnam Port project.