Bengal to Get New Deep Sea Port at Dadanpatra; Kolkata Set to Join India’s Water Metro Network

West Bengal is poised for a major boost in maritime infrastructure and urban transport, with plans underway for a new deep seaport at Dadanpatra in East Midnapore district and Kolkata set to join India’s growing Water Metro network.

The announcement was made following a high-level meeting held at Nabanna between Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Union Minister for Shipping and Ports Sarbananda Sonowal. Union Minister of State for Shipping, Ports and Waterways Shantanu Thakur was also present during the discussions.

According to the Chief Minister, the proposed deep seaport at Dadanpatra will be developed in collaboration with the Central Government. To facilitate the project, the West Bengal government will provide nearly 1,700 acres of land.

The proposed port marks a fresh chapter in Bengal’s maritime ambitions after the earlier deep sea port project at Tajpur was shelved. The Chief Minister stated that the Tajpur proposal had been abandoned after Adani Group exited the project. He also revealed that he had recently held discussions with Adani Ports & SEZ Managing Director Karan Adani regarding the matter.

Importantly, the Chief Minister indicated openness to a revenue-sharing arrangement with the Centre if the Dadanpatra deep sea port project materialises, signalling a collaborative approach between the state and central governments.

A deep sea port in Bengal could significantly strengthen the state’s logistics and trade ecosystem, improving cargo movement, boosting industrial development, and enhancing connectivity to international maritime trade routes. East Midnapore, owing to its strategic coastal location, has long been considered a potential hub for maritime infrastructure.

In another major development for the state, Kolkata is set to be added to India’s Water Metro network, becoming the 18th city in the country to be included in the ambitious urban water transport initiative.

The Water Metro model, first introduced in Kochi, aims to leverage inland waterways for urban commuting through modern ferry-based public transport systems. For Kolkata — a city historically shaped by the Hooghly River and ferry transport,  the initiative could potentially modernise river mobility, reduce congestion on roads, and offer a more sustainable public transportation alternative.

With both a proposed deep sea port and the Water Metro initiative on the horizon, West Bengal could be entering a new phase of infrastructure-led growth, strengthening its position in maritime trade and urban connectivity.