Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commissioned the Haldia Bulk Terminal (HBT), developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), marking a major step in strengthening bulk cargo infrastructure along India’s eastern maritime corridor.
Designed to handle dry bulk cargo with an annual capacity of 4 MMTPA, the fully automated facility is located on the Hooghly River and features direct rail connectivity to support faster cargo movement and improved logistics efficiency.
“The Haldia Bulk Terminal is a next-generation facility that brings full mechanisation and direct rail evacuation to the Hooghly, setting a new benchmark for efficiency on India’s eastern seaboard. By eliminating jetty dumping and lowering cargo loss through advanced automated systems, we are ensuring cleaner, safer and more sustainable operations. The terminal will play a pivotal role in strengthening industrial supply chains of West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand, while supporting the Prime Minister’s vision of lowering logistics costs through modern multimodal infrastructure,” said Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO, APSEZ.
The terminal is located within the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, and has been developed under a 30-year concession using the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model by HDC Bulk Terminal Ltd. Construction began on 14 July 2023 and the project has now been completed and commissioned within its planned timeline.
Strategically positioned on the western bank of the Hooghly River, the terminal will handle imported coal and other dry bulk commodities.
India’s east coast accounts for nearly 60% of the country’s dry bulk imports, including coal, bauxite, and limestone. The new facility is expected to serve as a key maritime entry point for industries such as steel, aluminium, and power in West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, helping reduce logistics costs and cargo turnaround time.
Key infrastructure developed as part of the project includes the installation of a 2,000 T Railway Wagon Loading System (RWLS), a 1.54 km dedicated railway line for direct ship-to-train cargo evacuation, refurbishment of the existing jetty, and deployment of advanced conveyor systems to automate cargo handling.
The terminal is also equipped with 2 stacker-cum-reclaimers for automated stockyard management and 2 mobile harbour cranes to accelerate vessel discharge operations.
The RWLS and dedicated rail line are among the most critical features of the facility. Together, they enable bulk cargo discharged from vessels to be directly loaded onto railway wagons connected to the main rail network, significantly reducing port dwell time and lowering the delivered cost of raw materials for industries across the region.
The Haldia Bulk Terminal also aligns with the government’s Sagarmala programme and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, both aimed at developing modern multimodal infrastructure to reduce logistics costs and strengthen supply chains.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of the terminal highlights the strategic importance of modernising India’s eastern seaboard and maritime infrastructure.
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