By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
More than two years after its inauguration, the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) has been handed over to IRC Natural Resources, marking a key milestone in the central government’s push to enhance inland waterway infrastructure and promote multimodal logistics through Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Built by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways with the financial and technical assistance of the World Bank, the Haldia MMT in West Bengal has a capacity of 3.08 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA).
The terminal was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13, 2023. Strategically located and connected to National Highway 41, the terminal is also slated to receive rail connectivity, further enhancing its multimodal integration.
To ensure efficient and sustained operation of the terminal, IWAI adopted a PPP model on an Equip, Operate and Transfer (EOT) basis. The concessionaire was selected through an open bidding process for Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of the terminal over a 10-year period, extendable by another 5 years.
IRC Natural Resources emerged as the highest bidder by quoting a royalty of ₹105.03 per metric tonne of cargo handled, payable to IWAI.
The operationalisation of Haldia MMT is expected to significantly boost cargo movement through inland waterways, providing a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and faster alternative for transporting goods, particularly to the North Eastern states and Bangladesh.
This development is in line with the Government of India’s vision to promote Inland Water Transport (IWT) as a sustainable and efficient mode of logistics under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP). The project aims to enhance the capacity of the 1,390 km stretch of National Waterway-1 (Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly river system), which passes through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
IWAI has undertaken key developmental works under JMVP including fairway maintenance, construction of multi-modal and inter-modal terminals, modern navigational locks and installation of over 60 jetties to support and benefit riverine communities.