The Sagarmala Maritime Projects Kolkata (SMPK) aims to award public-private partnership (PPP) projects worth over ₹800 crore in the next three months. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways approved projects for the reconstruction of berth No. 8 and mechanization of berths No. 7 and 8 at Netaji Subhash Dock, with the foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These projects are part of efforts to increase container and cargo handling capacity and mechanize the SMPK, with tenders already issued and a goal to award the projects within three months in the DBFOT mode.
The projects at Netaji Subhash Dock will increase the container handling capacity and efficiency, with three rail-mounted quay cranes set to be installed. SMPK, formerly Kolkata Port Trust, aims to increase its cargo handling capacity to 115 tonnes by 2030 through 15 PPP projects, with some already awarded and others in the pipeline. In West Bengal, the Sagarmala program oversees 62 projects worth ₹16,300 crore, with 19 completed projects worth around ₹1,100 crore and the rest at various stages of implementation.
The focus on increasing capacity and efficiency at SMPK reflects broader efforts to enhance port-led infrastructure development in West Bengal through the Sagarmala program. These projects aim to improve cargo handling capabilities and strengthen the port’s position as a key player in the maritime industry, with plans to further develop and modernize operations through strategic public-private partnerships. Awarding these projects in the coming months is a step towards achieving these goals and ensuring sustainable growth and competitiveness in the region.
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