SMPK targets 120 MT cargo capacity, eyes warehousing & industrial expansion

Kolkata: Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) has set a target of raising its cargo handling capacity to 120 million tonnes over the next few years, chairman Rathendra Raman said at the CII Logistics Colloquium 2026 on Friday.The port has already expanded its capacity to 93 million tonnes from 74 million tonnes a year ago, Raman said.Outlining the port’s expansion plans, he said SMPK is looking to develop warehousing and logistics infrastructure through the PPP model. The plans include a 100-acre warehousing project at Kolkata port and a 40-acre warehousing facility at Haldia.“We have surplus land, which presents a significant opportunity for both Kolkata and Haldia ports.

We are looking at developing industrial parks and entertainment hubs on these land parcels,” Raman said.He also said the NHAI is conducting a feasibility study for an underwater tunnel beneath the Hooghly river. “Once the report is ready, we will take up the matter with both the state and central govts,” he added.Debashis Dutta, chairman of the CII Eastern Region Infrastructure and Logistics Subcommittee, said Bengal’s strategic location as a gateway to Southeast Asia gives it strong potential to emerge as a major logistics hub.