Maritime News, Haldia, West Bengal, India : In a major boost to India’s inland waterway logistics and multimodal cargo movement, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has formally handed over the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) in West Bengal to IRC Natural Resources for operations and maintenance under a 15-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement.
The move marks a key milestone in the Centre’s Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP), which aims to strengthen National Waterway-1 (NW-1) — the 1,390-km Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly river system linking Haldia to Varanasi.
First Major PPP Terminal in Inland Waterways
The Haldia terminal, developed by IWAI with World Bank support, has a cargo handling capacity of 3.08 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA).
Under the PPP framework, IRC Natural Resources will operate the terminal on an Equip, Operate, and Transfer (EOT) basis. The company emerged as the highest bidder, committing a royalty payment of ₹105.03 per tonne of cargo handled to IWAI.
The concession agreement has been signed for 10 years, extendable by another five years, based on performance.
Strategic Hub for Multimodal Connectivity
Situated near National Highway 41, the terminal’s strategic location at the confluence of river and road networks allows it to serve as a critical logistics hub for cargo movement to and from the North Eastern states and Bangladesh.
Rail connectivity is also on the anvil, which will transform the facility into one of India’s most integrated multimodal nodes — combining river, road, and rail transport under one system.
Officials said the terminal is designed to handle diverse cargo types — coal, fly ash, fertilisers, food grains, and construction materials, reducing congestion at Kolkata Port and offering a cheaper, greener alternative to road transport.
Boost for Sustainable and Cost-Effective Logistics
The operationalisation of Haldia MMT is expected to cut logistics costs by up to 30% for bulk cargo and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 40% compared to road-based movement.
A senior IWAI official said, “This PPP model ensures professional management, efficiency, and sustainability of inland terminals while maintaining public oversight. It will help scale up cargo movement on NW-1 in a financially viable manner.”
The terminal will also create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, boosting regional economies in Haldia, Howrah, and Hooghly districts.
Part of India’s Blue Logistics Vision
The Haldia handover aligns with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways’ broader Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, under which inland waterways are being positioned as the fourth transport mode alongside road, rail, and air.
Under JMVP, IWAI is modernising riverine transport infrastructure, constructing multi-modal terminals in Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia, installing 60 community jetties, and deploying modern river navigation systems.
Experts say that the Haldia terminal’s operational success will serve as a model for private participation in inland waterway operations, encouraging further investment in India’s underutilised river transport network.
Looking Ahead
With the Haldia MMT now in private hands, attention will turn to ensuring efficient cargo handling, tariff rationalisation, and improved hinterland connectivity.
If successfully executed, the project could catalyse a new era for India’s inland shipping ecosystem — one that balances commercial viability with sustainability.
