Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata to review a proposed maritime investment pipeline worth ₹19,209 crore aimed at transforming the state into eastern India’s leading maritime and logistics hub by 2031. The projects are expected to generate over 62,500 direct and indirect jobs.
The discussions focused on port modernisation, inland waterways, shipbuilding, logistics infrastructure and port-led industrialisation under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. Key proposals include the Balagarh Multimodal Logistics Hub, expansion of Kolkata and Haldia docks, development of shipbuilding and repair facilities, cruise tourism infrastructure, riverfront redevelopment and industrial clusters linked to ports.
“West Bengal is central to India’s maritime future. Under the dynamic leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi ji, with an investment pipeline of nearly ₹19,209 crore, we aim to transform Bengal maritime hubs Kolkata and Haldia into the premier maritime gateway of eastern India while generating more than 62,500 employment opportunities. The double engine sarkar model will deliver these projects to unlock unprecedented opportunities for trade, industry and tourism,” Sonowal said.
Adhikari welcomed continued cooperation between the Centre and the state on maritime infrastructure and connectivity projects, including Sagarmala 2.0, Hooghly River connectivity, jetty development and inland waterways.
“We had a productive discussion on several priority maritime and connectivity projects, including Sagarmala 2.0, the proposed tunnel across the Hooghly River, development of jetty infrastructure, dredging of National Waterway-1, protection of the Hooghly embankment, and issues related to land and irrigation infrastructure. These initiatives are important for strengthening West Bengal’s maritime ecosystem and supporting economic growth. We look forward to continued cooperation with the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for the development of the state with active support from Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal ji,” Suvendu Adhikari said.
Sonowal highlighted that cargo throughput at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port has risen from 46.29 MMT in 2014 to 70.87 MMT in 2025-26, while inland waterways cargo movement has increased nearly five-fold over the past decade, underscoring the state’s growing maritime potential.
