Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMP Kolkata), in association with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), organised a road show on 7 October 2026 to present the proposed development of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, West Bengal.
Held at The Bengal Club in Kolkata, the event brought together government representatives, port stakeholders, trade partners and logistics companies to discuss the proposed port infrastructure project. Shri Subrata Gupta, Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, attended the event as Chief Guest, while Shri Rathendra Raman, Chairman, SMP Kolkata, welcomed him. Representatives from Adani, JSW Infrastructure, IWAI and other logistics companies participated in the programme. The Deputy Chairman and senior officers of SMP Kolkata were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Subrata Gupta, Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, West Bengal, said, “Balagarh is a unique example of Centre-State coordination.” He added that rail, road and waterways connectivity is being provided by the Central Government, while industrial land is being made available by the State Government. He also said that environmental clearance has already been obtained and that coordination between the Central and State Governments would help the project support trade, industry and West Bengal.
Shri Rathendra Raman, Chairman, SMP Kolkata, said that Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had recently laid the foundation stone for the Inland Water Transport (IWT) Terminal and Road Over Bridge at Balagarh. He said, “The project will decongest Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and being waterways-based, it will be environment friendly and sustainable.”
The Balagarh project has an estimated cost of Rs. 538.20 crore and a planned cargo-handling capacity of 2.7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Located around 85 km upstream of the Kolkata Dock System on National Waterway-1, the project is intended to strengthen inland waterway connectivity and provide an extended gateway for cargo movement.
The road show received participation from trade partners as SMP Kolkata and IWAI presented the project’s infrastructure and connectivity proposition to potential stakeholders.
What is the Balagarh Extended Port Gate System?
The Balagarh Extended Port Gate System is a proposed port infrastructure project in West Bengal designed to extend cargo-handling and port connectivity capabilities upstream of the Kolkata Dock System. The project will use National Waterway-1 and associated road and rail connectivity to facilitate cargo movement.
Key Details of the Balagarh Project
- Location: Balagarh, West Bengal
- Project cost: Rs. 538.20 crore
- Planned capacity: 2.7 MTPA
- Distance from KDS: Approximately 85 km upstream
- Waterway: National Waterway-1
- Key stakeholders: SMP Kolkata and IWAI
- Infrastructure: IWT Terminal and Road Over Bridge
- Environmental clearance: Obtained
