Haldia 2.0: India’s First Fully Automated Cargo Hub Goes Live

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Haldia Bulk Terminal, India’s first fully automated dry bulk cargo handling facility, on March 14, 2026. The terminal has been developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) at the Haldia Dock Complex in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Located along the banks of the Hooghly River, the terminal has an annual handling capacity of four million tonnes and is designed to enhance bulk cargo movement along India’s eastern maritime corridor. Developed under a 30-year concession on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) model, the project was completed within schedule after construction began in July 2023. The facility features full mechanisation, advanced conveyor systems, stacker-cum-reclaimers, and mobile harbour cranes to automate cargo handling and minimise material loss.

The terminal is situated within the Haldia Dock Complex at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, and forms an important component of the port’s infrastructure. A key highlight is its dedicated railway connectivity and railway wagon loading system, enabling direct ship-to-train cargo evacuation. This is expected to reduce port dwell time, lower logistics costs, and support industrial activity across West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.