Adani Group explores major investments as SMP Kolkata unveils ambitious maritime and logistics expansion plan

KOLKATA : West Bengal’s maritime and logistics ecosystem is poised for a significant transformation, with the Adani Group evaluating fresh investment opportunities across key sectors and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMPK) charting an expansive roadmap to strengthen the state’s position as a leading trade and connectivity hub.

Addressing industry stakeholders during the CII Logistics Colloquium 2026, SMPK Chairman Shri Rathendra Raman outlined a series of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing port capacity, boosting tourism and creating new industrial infrastructure. Among the flagship projects is the redevelopment of the Garden Reach waterfront into a vibrant cultural and tourism destination, featuring a world-class river cruise terminal and a maritime museum designed to attract domestic and international visitors.

The port authority is also advancing plans for new industrial and logistics infrastructure, including a logistics park at Haldia and dedicated tea and textile parks on port-owned land. These initiatives form part of a broader investment programme comprising 15 infrastructure projects with an estimated outlay of ₹6,000 crore.

SMPK has set an ambitious target of increasing annual cargo handling volumes to 120 million metric tonnes within the next three to four years, up from its current capacity of 93 million metric tonnes. According to Raman, ongoing modernisation and mechanisation efforts are expected to enhance operational efficiency and reinforce the port’s competitiveness in the evolving maritime landscape.

A key milestone in this transformation is the ongoing development of the Netaji Subhas Dock, where significant private sector participation has been secured through an investment commitment of approximately ₹1,500 crore by JSW Infrastructure.

The Adani Group, meanwhile, is examining opportunities to deepen its presence in West Bengal through investments spanning ports, logistics, power transmission and distribution, cement manufacturing, data centres and innovative transportation solutions. The conglomerate is also evaluating the potential of river-based mobility and logistics services, including the development of an e-commerce-oriented river taxi network that could leverage the state’s extensive inland waterways system.

Highlighting the strategic importance of eastern India, Subrat Tripathy, President – Business Development at Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd., noted that the region possesses the potential to emerge as a major gateway linking India with Southeast Asian markets. He emphasized that greater adoption of artificial intelligence in logistics could improve efficiency, lower operating costs and strengthen safety standards across the supply chain.

Tripathy also underscored the need for a more balanced multimodal transportation network, pointing to the heavy dependence on road transport and the untapped potential of inland waterways as areas requiring focused attention.

On the policy front, West Bengal Labour and Transport Minister Shri Arjun Singh announced that the state government is preparing a comprehensive transport sector roadmap, expected to be finalized within the next quarter. The framework will align with provisions of the Labour Code while supporting industrial growth and investment promotion, particularly in heavy industries.

Further discussions at the colloquium highlighted the importance of strengthening regional and cross-border trade. Land Ports Authority of India Chairman Jayant Singh advocated deeper economic engagement with neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and Bhutan, suggesting that Frontier Economic Zones could serve as catalysts for trade expansion and regional economic integration.

The event also witnessed the release of a new industry assessment titled Manufacturing Readiness in West Bengal, prepared by CII West Bengal. The report examines the state’s industrial preparedness and opportunities for future growth.

Industry leaders attending the conference stressed that modern logistics networks will be central to India’s manufacturing ambitions. Debashis Dutta, Chairman of the CII Eastern Region Infrastructure & Logistics Sub-Committee, emphasized the growing role of data-driven supply chains and integrated logistics systems in enhancing competitiveness and supporting sustainable economic development.

With strong participation from government agencies, industry leaders and logistics experts, the colloquium reinforced West Bengal’s emerging role as a strategic gateway for trade, manufacturing and multimodal connectivity in eastern India.