Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata today, 4 June, to discuss a ₹19,209 crore maritime investment pipeline for the state by 2031.
The proposed projects are expected to generate more than 62,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities while positioning West Bengal as a major maritime and logistics hub for eastern India.
The investment roadmap was reviewed during the meeting, where the two leaders discussed the future development of ports, inland waterways, shipbuilding, logistics and port-led industrialisation in the state.
The proposed investments are planned under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
They include the Balagarh Multimodal Logistics Hub, expansion and mechanisation of Kolkata and Haldia docks, strengthening of inland waterways, shipbuilding and ship repair facilities, cruise tourism infrastructure, riverfront redevelopment and port-led industrial clusters.
Sonowal said the investment programme is aimed at attracting private capital, creating large-scale employment and establishing West Bengal as a preferred destination for maritime and logistics investments.
“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.
Read also : India launches ₹10,000 crore ATF price stabilisation fund to support airlines amid West Asia crisis
Adhikari welcomed continued collaboration between the Centre and the state on maritime infrastructure, waterways development, dredging, riverfront projects and connectivity initiatives.
“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,” Adhikari said.
Sonowal also noted that cargo throughput at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port increased from 46.29 million metric tonnes in 2014 to 70.87 million metric tonnes in 2025-26.
Inland waterways cargo movement has grown nearly five-fold over the last decade, according to the ministry.
The minister said the proposed investments would strengthen logistics efficiency, reduce transportation costs, support exports and create an enabling ecosystem for industries dependent on maritime connectivity.
He added that integrated development of ports, waterways, logistics parks and maritime manufacturing facilities would help accelerate economic growth across West Bengal and the wider eastern and northeastern region.
The meeting was also attended by Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, along with the ministry secretary, West Bengal chief secretary and other senior officials.
Read also : India’s 100% green energy powered airports rise from zero in 2014 to 90+ in 2026
