Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal met the Chief Minister of West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata to discuss a proposed maritime investment pipeline of Rs 192.09 billion (Rs 192.09 bn) aimed at transforming the state into eastern India's maritime and logistics hub by 2031. The projects in the pipeline are expected to generate more than 62,500 employment opportunities both direct and indirect and to position West Bengal as a major gateway for trade and industry. The plan was framed under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and seeks to attract substantial private capital.

The investment roadmap reviewed at the meeting covers development of the Balagarh Multimodal Logistics Hub, expansion and mechanisation of Kolkata and Haldia docks, strengthening of inland waterways, development of shipbuilding and ship repair facilities, cruise tourism infrastructure, riverfront redevelopment and port-led industrial clusters. Officials discussed initiatives to improve connectivity, dredging and protection of river embankments and to expedite land and irrigation support for port projects. These interventions are designed to create integrated maritime corridors linking ports, logistics parks and industrial estates.

The minister indicated that the programme is intended to unlock large-scale employment and enhance competitiveness in maritime services and manufacturing across the state. The chief minister welcomed continued collaboration with the central government and sought support for priority projects including Sagarmala 2.0 and a proposed tunnel across the Hooghly River. Senior officials from the Ministry and the state administration participated in the deliberations.

The Port Authority has recorded an increase in cargo throughput at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port from 46.29 million tonnes (46.29 mn t) in 2014 to 70.87 million tonnes (70.87 mn t) in 2025-26, while inland waterways cargo movement has risen nearly five-fold over the last decade. The programme is expected to strengthen logistics efficiency, reduce transportation costs and support exports by developing multimodal transport links. Integrated development of ports, waterways, logistics parks and maritime manufacturing facilities is intended to accelerate economic growth across West Bengal and the wider eastern and north-eastern region.