DBT Bureau
Pune, 7 May 2026
In West Bengal,the change in political leadership, has revived hope around large-scale port infrastructure expansion in Kolkata and Haldia. The long-pending maritime projects anticipating faster execution under the BJP-led government.
Once again the spotlight will be the proposed ₹25,000 crore Tajpur deep-sea port project, that had witnessed delays over policy coordination and investor participation. Industry experts now expect smoother Centre-State cooperation to accelerate approvals, funding and execution of the strategic project.
The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port has already begun expanding cargo and container handling infrastructure across the eastern coast. Recent projects include berth mechanisation at Haldia Dock Complex, new outer terminals, LNG infrastructure and automated bulk cargo facilities aimed at improving logistics efficiency and reducing vessel turnaround time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated a fully automated bulk terminal at Haldia developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone. The terminal, with a handling capacity of 4 million metric tonnes annually, is expected to strengthen supply chains for eastern India’s steel, coal and aluminium sectors.
The port ecosystem is also witnessing investments in LNG terminals, coal berths and container infrastructure. SMP Kolkata has signed multiple investment agreements worth nearly ₹48,000 crore to modernise maritime operations and support industrial growth across eastern India.
Kolkata and Haldia ports has also shown strong momentum on cargo movement which indicate positive sign of maritine expansion of easten India. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port handled over 64 million tonnes of cargo during April 2025–February 2026, surpassing the previous full-year record ahead of schedule.
With renewed political alignment and infrastructure push, Kolkata’s port sector could emerge as a major logistics and industrial growth driver for eastern India in the coming years.
