<p class="MsoNormal">West Bengal's maritime ecosystem is positioned for a major

structural transformation as the Adani Group initiates formal evaluations for

fresh investments across the state’s ports and logistics corridors. The

conglomerate's expansion plans coincide with an ambitious developmental

blueprint unveiled by the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMPK), Kolkata, designed

to strengthen eastern India's capacity as a dominant gateway for regional and

cross-border trade.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The multi-sectoral roadmap, which outlines 15 targeted

infrastructure projects demanding an estimated capital layout of ₹6,000 crore,

was presented by SMPK Chairman Shri Rathendra Raman during the CII Logistics

Colloquium 2026.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Scaling Cargo Capacity and Modernizing the Riverfront<o:p></o:p></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">To absorb growing trade volumes along the eastern seaboard,

SMPK is accelerating its asset modernization and mechanization schedules. Key

operational objectives within the newly announced port infrastructure program

include:<o:p></o:p></p>

<ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc">

<li class="MsoNormal"><b>Cargo

Volume Scaling:</b> The port authority aims to expand annual cargo

handling volumes to 120 million metric tonnes within the next three to

four years, up from its current capability baseline of 93 million metric

tonnes.<o:p></o:p></li>

<li class="MsoNormal"><b>Industrial

Specialization Zones:</b> Plans are advancing to construct dedicated

logistics infrastructure on port-owned land, featuring a specialized

logistics park at Haldia alongside dedicated tea and textile parks.<o:p></o:p></li>

<li class="MsoNormal"><b>Waterfront

and Tourism Integration:</b> A flagship redevelopment of the Garden Reach

waterfront will introduce an international-standard river cruise terminal

and a maritime museum designed to attract domestic and international

visitors.<o:p></o:p></li>

<li class="MsoNormal"><b>Private

Sector Commitments:</b> Private enterprise participation has already

locked in significant momentum at the Netaji Subhas Dock, backed by an

investment commitment of approximately ₹1,500 crore by JSW Infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></li>

</ul>

<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Adani Eyes Integrated Inland Waterways and E-Commerce

Logistics<o:p></o:p></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Parallel to the port authority's projects, the Adani Group

is actively exploring avenues to deepen its footprint in West Bengal through an

integrated logistics play. The conglomerate is mapping out investment avenues

across ports, logistics, power transmission and distribution, cement

manufacturing, data centers, and innovative transportation solutions.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">A core component of Adani’s regional strategy involves

leveraging the state's extensive inland waterways system to develop river-based

mobility and logistics services. This includes exploring a hub-and-spoke

distribution network that utilizes an e-commerce-oriented river taxi network to

cost-effectively link inland fulfillment centers with urban consumption hubs.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Highlighting the strategic importance of building

well-integrated supply chains, Subrat Tripathy, President – Business

Development at Adani Ports &amp; Special Economic Zone Ltd., stated:<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"Eastern India possesses the potential to emerge as a

major gateway linking India with Southeast Asian markets. Greater adoption of

artificial intelligence in logistics could significantly improve efficiency,

lower operating costs, and strengthen safety standards across the supply

chain."<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Aligning Cross-Border Logistics and Regional Transport

Policies<o:p></o:p></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The macro infrastructure push is further supported by

coordinated regional trade and policy initiatives. The state framework will

align with provisions of the Labour Code while supporting industrial growth and

investment promotion, particularly in heavy industries.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Further discussions at the colloquium highlighted the

importance of strengthening regional and cross-border trade. Land Ports

Authority of India Chairman Jayant Singh advocated for deeper economic

engagement with neighboring countries such as Bangladesh and Bhutan, suggesting

that Frontier Economic Zones could serve as catalysts for trade expansion and

regional economic integration.<o:p></o:p></p>