Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Plans New Container and Coal Berths to Decongest Kolkata, Boost Capacity

By Admin

13 Feb, 2026

The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMPK) is gearing up for a major infrastructure push with plans to develop new container and coal berths. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to decongest Kolkata city traffic, expand cargo handling capacity, and strengthen the port’s position along India’s eastern seaboard.

Backed by central government approvals for berth reconstruction, mechanisation, and barge-based terminals, the port aims to shift a larger share of cargo away from inner-city road corridors and onto more efficient multimodal systems.

Strategic Expansion to Ease City Congestion

Kolkata’s inner-city road network has long faced pressure from heavy truck movement linked to port operations. By developing new berths and promoting water-based cargo movement, SMPK plans to significantly reduce truck congestion in the city core.

The strategy includes:

• Reconstruction and mechanisation of key berths
  
  

• Development of barge-based terminals
  
  

• Increased use of waterways for container and bulk cargo
  
  

These measures are designed to streamline cargo evacuation, enhance safety, and improve overall logistics efficiency.

New Container Berth to Handle Growing Box Volumes

The planned container berth will cater to increasing container traffic currently routed through the Kolkata Dock System. The move builds on earlier modernization initiatives, including upgrades to berths 7 and 8 at Netaji Subhash Dock and plans to develop an outer container terminal.

With container volumes steadily rising, the new facility will:

• Improve handling capacity
  
  

• Reduce vessel waiting time
  
  

• Enhance turnaround efficiency
  
  

• Support trade growth across eastern and northeastern India
  
  

This will position SMPK as a stronger container gateway for landlocked markets in eastern India and neighboring regions.

Coal Berth to Support Power and Steel Sectors

On the dry bulk front, SMPK has proposed a dedicated coal berth to serve power plants and steel units in West Bengal and adjoining states.

This development complements expansion plans at the Haldia Dock Complex, where capacity is being scaled up from 50 MMT to 75 MMT through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.

The new coal-focused berth will:

• Ensure faster discharge operations
  
  

• Improve supply chain reliability for core industries
  
  

• Reduce dependence on congested transport routes
  
  

• Strengthen eastern India’s industrial ecosystem
  
  

Balagarh Barge Terminal: A Key Multimodal Link

A major pillar of this expansion is the government-approved barge terminal at Balagarh island, located around 85 km upstream of Kolkata.

Designed to handle 2.7 million tonnes of cargo annually, the terminal will manage:

• 150,000 TEUs
  
  

• Bulk commodities such as coal
  
  

• Pulses and fertilisers
  
  

By shifting a significant portion of container and bulk cargo onto waterways, SMPK aims to reduce road congestion, lower logistics costs, and promote environmentally sustainable transport.

Enhancing Multimodal Efficiency on the Eastern Seaboard

Through berth modernisation, mechanisation, and inland waterway integration, SMPK is positioning itself as a future-ready, multimodal logistics hub.

The key expected outcomes include:

• Reduced truck traffic within Kolkata
  
  

• Faster vessel turnaround
  
  

• Higher cargo throughput capacity
  
  

• Improved reliability for exporters and importers
  
  

• Stronger connectivity to landlocked and hinterland markets
  
  

Conclusion

The planned container and coal berths at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port represent a significant step toward decongesting Kolkata and boosting cargo capacity along India’s eastern coast. By leveraging mechanised infrastructure and inland waterways, SMPK is aligning itself with the government’s vision of modern, efficient, and sustainable port-led development.

With expansion at Haldia, modernization at Netaji Subhash Dock, and the upcoming Balagarh barge terminal, SMPK is steadily transforming into a high-capacity, multimodal gateway serving eastern India’s growing trade and industrial demands.