HUGLI RIVER Haldia to Kukrahati Reach - 3013
	
	Hugli River is the W channel by which River Ganga enters the Bay of Bengal and is commercially the most important one. The navigable channel is subject to annual variations caused by the difference in direction of the scour of the freshets and flood stream, during the rainy and dry seasons respectively, the channel through the estuary is subject to changes across the whole of its width, from time to time, such as occur in all wide, sandy and tidal estuaries in their natural state.
	On the E Hugli River is connected by tidal channels with the distributaries by which River Ganga enters the sea; some of these form waterways for powered vessels and boats from Kolkata (Calcutta) through The Sundarbans to Bangladesh and Assam. The Eastern Channel Light-vessel lies, by river, about 138 miles from Calcutta.

Depths:
	Hugli River can be navigated as far as Calcutta at high water springs by vessels of about 7.9 m draught and by vessels of 7.3m draught at high water neaps; special arrangements may be made for vessels of greater draught (3.4); vessels of upto 9.1 m draught have been accepted during freshets (August and September). In recent years of severe silting has resulted in more stringent restrictions on draught so that in 1976 vessels of 8.5 m draught could reach Calcutta on only 65 days of the year compared with 290 days at an earlier period.
	The port issues a monthly forecast of maximum permissible draughts for passage of the Hugli to and From Calcutta, and the optimum time for embarking the inward pilot.
	
Caution: 
	The chart cannot be depended on for positions of light-vessels and buoys are shifted as necessary; changes N of Intermediate Light-vessel are not promulgated by Notices to Mariners. 
	In some parts of the river the changes in depths and in the directions of the channels are very rapid, and therefore no attempt will be made to describe here the channels, bars, or depths, which might very soon be altogether changed.
	No details are given in this volume of the buoys and light-buoys in the river or of the lights and light-vessel northward of the parallel of 21º40’N., many of which are often altered to meet changes in the channel, and, as no vessel is permitted to proceed up river without a pilot, a description of these is unnecessary. It was reported in 1984 that the channel buoys were not well maintained; many were either unlit or missing, it is reported (1997) that a problem for the port authorities is theft of buoy of lights.
	In 1976,  it was reported that night navigation above Hugli Point (22º12.5’N, 88º04.3’E) was suspended owing to removal of the navigational buoys.

Tidal streams:
	 The relative strengths of the ingoing and outgoing tidal streams vary at different seasons of the year. During the NE monsoon, from November to February, to their rates are approximately equal and attain rates of 3 to 3½ knots at springs and 1½ to 2 knots at neaps. During the period March to June, the South-west Monsoon, blowing in the direction of the ingoing stream, increases its rate to from 4 to 6 knots at springs. From July to October, freshets cause the outgoing stream to predominate; it attains a maximum rate of 7 knots at springs, during which time the ingoing stream is hardly appreciable except in the estuary. The tidal stream in Eastern Channel, when uninfluenced by the wind, are given by the tables on chart. Both the ingoing and outgoing streams set across Gasper Channel especially during the last quarters of the falling tide. The tidal streams run fairly through Sagar Roads.

Bore:
	At low water during spring tides, the progress of the incoming tide is checked by the shallow and restricted bed of the river and by the seaward flow of water from the upper reaches. These conditions are liable to lead to the creation of a bore. In Hugli River bores only occur with greater than average spring tides, and then usually when the seaward flow is augmented by freshets. There is considerable diurnal inequality in the tides of the Hugli, the higher water of spring tides occurring at night between October and March, and in daylight between May and September. A bore is more likely to occur preceding the higher high water than preceding the lower high water. There is, therefore, a seasonal variation in the probability of the occurrence of a bore. During the NE monsoon, from November to February, freshets do not occur and, in consequence, bores are very rare. When they do occur at this season, it is likely to be at night, and because they are unexpected, they are particularly dangerous. It is advisable 	to anticipate their occurrence during this season whenever greater than average spring tides are predicted. During the SW monsoon, the occurrence of freshets during greater than average spring tides, will always cause bores.
	The first appearance of the bore is on Diamond Sand, on the W bank of the river below Diamond Harbour where the ascending wave runs on as a breaking roller, but it is not of much consequence until it enters the contracted reaches above Hugli Point when, besides swamping boats, it affects vessels at anchor, by causing them to run up-stream, especially if there is a strong S breeze.
	The bore reaches a maximum at Chinsura, about 23 miles above Howrah Bridge at Calcutta, and disappears above Naya Serai, 14 miles farther up the river. The bore on 30 march, 1986, had a height of nearly 1.2 m (4 ft) at Buj Buj and Calcutta, increasing to 1.6 m (5½ ft) at Chinsura, and falling to about 18 inches (0.5 m) at Naya Serai.
	Vessels at moorings surge and roll during the passage of the bore, as there is a sudden lift of from 1.2 to 1.8 m (4 to 6ft), and when bore are expected, springs must be put on the flood moorings close down to the buoys to relieve the jerk on the cable and bitts when the bore comes up.

Western channel

	Western channel, which was not in use in 1969, lies between Western Sea Reef and Eastern Sea Reef, the S end which lies 16 miles ESE of S end of Western Sea Reef; it leads into Beaumont’s Gut, which leads between Upper Long Sand and extending S from it on the W and Lower Long Sand, a drying shoal of which Eastern Sea Reef is the tongue-shaped extension S with depths of less than 5.5 m (18 ft) over it on the E. Beaumont’s Gut leads to Sagar Roads.
	Middle Ground Sand is situated NW of Beaumont’s Gut. A dangerous wreck lies off its SE side.
	Upper Long Sand is situated NW of Beaumont’s Gut. Eden Channel, which is not in use, lies between Upper Long Sand and Mizen Sand
	Beaumont’s Gut lies from about 5 to 15 miles SSW of Sagar Island Lighthouse (21º39’N 88º03’E); a bar is situated at the S end of the gut. Beaumont’s Gut is unmarked and is not used.
	Lower Long Sand Mark is a beacon standing on the NW side of Lower Long Sand 6½ miles SSW of Sagar Island Lighthouse.
	Eastern Channel, the entrance to Hugli River now in use, lies between Eastern Sea Reef on the W and a tongue shaped spit which, with depths of less than5.5 m (18 ft), extends 26 miles SSE from New Island (21º34’N, 88º12’E); Eastern Channel and Gasper Channel, its continuation N, lead to Sagar Roads. A Vessel Traffic Management System operates in the Eastern Channel.

Storm and weather signals.
	When the weather in the Bay of Bengal is disturbed, storm signals are shown at Sagar Island Lighthouse, near the telegraph office at Diamond Harbour, near the clock tower at the entrance to Kidderpore Docks and on the Port Commissioner’s Office, Calcutta. The extended system of storm and weather signals is used at Sagar Island. 
	Signals V indicates that a storm of slight or moderate severity will probably cross the coast E of Sagar Island and W of Chittagong. Vessels may be proceed to sea if the height of the barometer, state of the sea, and weather, are such as to lead masters and pilots to infer that there is no danger. The wind at the month of Hugli will probably back from NE, through N, to NW or W.
	Signal VI indicates that a storm of slight or moderate severity will probably cross the coast W of Sagar Island and N of False Point. The wind at the mouth of Hugli will probable veer from NE, through E, to SE or S. As these E winds will raise a heavy swell and produce a strong W set in the channel at the Sand heads, it is advisable that none but fast power vessels in light trim should put to sea and those only if the weather appearance and state of the sea are not too unfavorable. 
	
Jellingham Channel leads to Haldia Channel. 
	It is marked on the W side of the channel by Jellingham No III, JF buoy, No II buoy, JB buoy.
	Haldia Sand which dries upto 5.9m lies on the east side of Jellingham Channel. Talpati 
	Chak Column lies 9 cables W of Groyne No. 23. Pillar No 1 stands 5 cables NNE of this Groyne. Pillar No.1, 6 and 11 are located adjacent to each other with distance apart of 3½ cables further NNE. 
	A leading line which bears 18.2º with Lattice Tower and water tower in transit, leads through Jellingham Channel to Haldia Channel. 
	Gangra Tidal Semaphore (Day & Night) lies in position (21º 56'.7N, 88º 01'.32E). Gangra Tower lies 4 cables SW of Gangra Tidal Semaphore. A small creek enters the Jellingham Channel 2½ cables SSE of Gangra Tidal Semaphore. It exhibits flags and lights.
	Inner Column (21º 58'.4N, 88º 01'.6E) a round masonry tower 18m high, lies about 1½ miles NNE of Gangra Tower. 
	Sandia Column (21º 58'.8N, 88º 02'.2E) a round masonry tower 17m high, lies about 7½ cables NE of the Inner Column. 
	Lattice Tower (Haldia Channel) (22º 00'.05N, 88º 03'.00E) a steel frame work tower lies about 1.4 miles NNE of Sandia Column.  
	The west side of Haldia Channel is marked by three buoys namely SF buoy, USF buoy and HR buoy. HR buoy lies in the centre of Haldia River mouth. 
	A wreck with 3m of water over it is marked by HS buoy, 7 cables SE of Lattice tower on the E side of Haldia Channel. LEH, CEH and UEH buoys marks the north eastern part of the Haldia Channel. A wreck with one meter of water over it lies E of UEH buoy at a distance of 4 cables.
	Agnimari Char (Nayachara Island) lies E of the Haldia Channel. The southern part of the island is Marshy and the Northern part is covered by deciduous forest. This island measure 6 miles long and has a width of 2.1 mile.

	Haldia (22º 01'N, 88º 05'E) 22 miles N of Sagar Roads, is an important secondary port in the Hugli River Estuary, The oil from Barauni refinery, 280 miles NW, is transported to Haldia by pipeline. 
	Haldia Dock Complex (HDC).  Haldia Dock Complex is situated 60 Km. from the pilotage station at a position 22°02' N 88°06' E. All Docks have impounded dock systems with locks and has 12 Berths, three oil jetties.  Three barge jetties also exist in the River (which are subject to tidal water level variations) for handling Oil carried by Barges and Haldia anchorage for LASH vessels. 

Facilities:
	Tank washing slops can be accepted at the tanker berths.

Tugs:
	Ten tugs are available.

Development: 
	Proposed development includes dredging of E Hugli River estuary to allow vessels of 30,000 tonnes to enter Haldia. There is a proposal to build a modern ship building yard.
	Anchorage can be taken in mid-channel in depth of 11m medium to hard mud, abreast the port area. A good anchor watch is required due to strong currents. Two mooring buoys are available SW of the entrance point; mooring takes place under the direction of the pilot and experienced mooring  crew provided by the port authorities . The maximum rate of flood and ebb stream is about 5 knots.

	Kulpi Roads (22º 06' N, 98º 13'E), lies about 31 miles by the river from Sagar Roads. Kulpi Roads is marked by buoys JF on the W side, and UK and KF on the E side.

	Diamond Sand is a drying patch which dries out to 2.3m and extends up to 3½ miles SE. LDS, CDS, UDS marks the western side of Kulpi Roads channel. A total of 9 spurs to negate silting are built between Kulpi Roads and Diamond Sand along the W bank of Kulpi Roads.
	Diamond Harbour stands on the E bank of Hugli River, 5 miles above Kulpi Roads. Diamond harbour creek marks the harbour. Anchorage is available for large vessels in depths 11 to 24m.
	A Tide gauge is located west of a observation tower, which lies on the western side of the creek mouth. Dalrymple Lump Lies 2 Cables WSW of Diamond harbour creek mouth. A wreck marks the Lump. Explosives may be discharged at Diamond harbour.
	Diamond Harbour Creek lies 7½ cables NE of Diamond Harbour Light.
	Between Diamond Harbour Reach to Kukrahati Reach a dangerous wreck is lying in position 22º11'.7N, 88º06'.1E, 3½ cables N of Kukrahati Reach.  Another wreck with 3.7m of water over it lies 9½ cables NE of this wreck. There are a number of Leading lights, beacons and marks which lie on both side of the channel from Diamond harbour to Kolkata Port.