BALAGARH PROJECT OF KOLKATA PORT
BALAGARH PROJECT OF KOLKATA PORT
To accommodate anticipated traffic growth and reduce intra-city cargo movement, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority (SMPA) is developing dedicated container and coal berths at Balagarh. The project also seeks to promote cargo transportation through National Waterway-1, thereby strengthening inland waterway connectivity and enhancing overall logistics efficiency.
Land is already available with the SMPA, and environmental clearance was received on 24.01.2025. Under the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) component of the project, the tender for road construction was opened on 02.02.2026, and the work order for the construction of the Road Over Bridge (ROB) was issued on 09.01.2026.
The estimated cost of the project is ₹ 539.17 crore, including the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) component of Rs. 131.97 crore and Public Private Partnership (PPP) component of ₹ 407.20 crore. The EPC component is to be funded by the Inland Waterways Authority of India, while the PPP component is to be financed and implemented by the selected concessionaire. The EPC part of the project, except for the dredging part, is scheduled for completion by 31.03.2028. The dredging activities will be taken up by IWAI immediately before the commencement of the construction of the jetties by PPP operators. Construction of facilities under the PPP component is to be completed within three years from the award of the concession.
The proposed cargo handling capacity under the project is 2.7 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA). The project is expected to provide trade benefits by reducing congestion arising from cargo movement within city areas, lowering logistics costs, and facilitating the development of an alternate trade hub. The project is expected to generate around 2,600 employment opportunities through both direct and indirect avenues, which will also create significant employment opportunities for the local population, thereby contributing to regional socio-economic development.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.