Ahmedabad, March 14 (NationPress) In a significant move to enhance operational capabilities along India’s eastern coastline, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Haldia Bulk Terminal (HBT) on Saturday, officially dedicating it to the nation.

The terminal, engineered to manage dry bulk cargo with an impressive annual capacity of 4 million metric tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA), is a cutting-edge automated facility located on the Hooghly River. It features direct rail links, representing a critical upgrade for bulk cargo transportation in India’s eastern maritime corridor.

“The Haldia Bulk Terminal is a state-of-the-art facility that introduces complete mechanisation and direct rail evacuation to the Hooghly. By eliminating jetty dumping and minimizing cargo loss through sophisticated automated systems, we are promoting cleaner, safer, and more sustainable operations,” stated Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO of APSEZ.

This terminal is set to significantly bolster the industrial supply chains across West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, aligning with the Prime Minister's vision of reducing logistics costs through modern multimodal infrastructure,” Gupta further explained.

The eastern coast constitutes approximately 60 percent of India’s dry bulk imports, such as coal, bauxite, and limestone, making Haldia the most efficient and direct entry port for the steel, aluminium, and power sectors in West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand.

This enhancement will significantly lower logistics expenses and turnaround times for these industries, according to the company.

Situated within the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, the terminal has been developed under a 30-year concession through the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model by HDC Bulk Terminal Ltd, and was completed within its scheduled timeframe, from the start of construction on July 14, 2023 to its readiness for commissioning today.

“This accomplishment highlights APSEZ's ability to execute projects punctually, every single time,” the company remarked.

Since the beginning of construction, Adani Ports has installed a 2,000 T Railway Wagon Loading System (RWLS) and launched a 1.54 km dedicated railway line, allowing for direct ship-to-train cargo transfer; refurbished the existing jetty; implemented advanced conveyor systems for process automation; and introduced two stacker-cum-reclaimers for efficient stockyard management.

The RWLS and the dedicated rail line are the terminal’s most significant features. Together, they facilitate the direct transfer of bulk cargo from vessels to railway wagons, connecting to main lines, thereby reducing port dwell time and lowering the delivered costs of raw materials for industrial users across three states.

The Haldia Terminal is a concrete manifestation of India’s ‘Sagarmala’ programme and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, both of which emphasize the development of multimodal port infrastructure to decrease India’s logistics expenses.