Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday virtually inaugurated the Haldia Bulk Terminal during a public event held at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. The new terminal is designed to handle dry bulk cargo with an annual capacity of around 4 million metric tonnes (MMTPA).
The terminal, developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), is a fully mechanised bulk handling facility located on the banks of the Hooghly River. It is equipped with direct rail connectivity, which is expected to significantly improve cargo movement across India’s eastern maritime corridor.
The inauguration was part of a series of development projects worth around ₹18,680 crore launched by the Prime Minister in the state.
Addressing the gathering, Modi said that a new chapter of development for eastern India, especially West Bengal, is beginning through improvements in road, railway and port infrastructure.
“Today from Kolkata, a new chapter of development for West Bengal and eastern India is being written through road, railway and port infrastructure projects worth over ₹18,000 crore. These projects will give new momentum to the development of eastern India,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of waterways, the Prime Minister said that water-based transport in eastern India had remained largely underutilised for decades, but the government is now focusing on unlocking its full potential.
He noted that along with road and rail connectivity, water transport plays a crucial role in boosting trade and technological advancement. As part of this vision, several port development projects were inaugurated and foundation stones laid during the event.
Modi also emphasised the historical role of the Kolkata Port and Haldia Dock Complex in supporting trade across eastern India. The mechanisation of the Haldia Dock Complex, he said, will help accelerate cargo handling and enhance the overall capacity of the port.
Strategically located on the western bank of the Hooghly River, the Haldia Bulk Terminal is designed to handle imported coal and various dry bulk commodities used by industries.
Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, said the new terminal represents a next-generation facility that introduces full mechanisation and direct rail evacuation.
He added that the terminal will help reduce cargo loss, improve operational efficiency and support cleaner and safer logistics operations.
According to Gupta, the facility is expected to strengthen industrial supply chains across West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand while contributing to the government’s broader vision of lowering logistics costs through modern multimodal infrastructure.
