IWAI hands over Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal to IRC Natural Resources under a 15-year PPP agreement.
In a major boost to India’s inland waterway logistics, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has officially handed over the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) in West Bengal to IRC Natural Resources for operations and maintenance. The handover, announced on October 17, 2025, marks a key milestone in the government’s push to strengthen multimodal transport under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Built under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) on National Waterway-1, the terminal has a capacity of 3.08 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA). It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13, 2023. Strategically located with road connectivity to National Highway 41, it is also slated to be linked by rail, boosting its multimodal integration.
Under the 15-year concession agreement, IRC Natural Resources will operate and maintain the terminal on an Equip, Operate and Transfer (EOT) basis. The company secured the project by quoting a royalty of ₹105.03 per metric tonne of cargo handled, payable to IWAI.
“This handover marks an important step in making India’s inland waterways a viable, sustainable logistics option,” said an IWAI official.
Transforming Inland Cargo Movement
The operationalisation of Haldia MMT is expected to significantly increase cargo movement through waterways, offering a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and faster mode of transportation, particularly for trade with Northeastern states and Bangladesh.
The terminal is part of the government’s broader vision to promote Inland Water Transport (IWT) as a sustainable logistics mode. The JMVP aims to enhance the capacity of the 1,390 km NW-1 stretch of the Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly River system, spanning Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
IWAI has already undertaken several initiatives under JMVP, including fairway maintenance, construction of multi-modal terminals and navigational locks, and installation of over 60 jetties to support riverine trade and communities.
This PPP handover marks a crucial step toward India’s multimodal logistics future, leveraging its river systems to power economic growth and regional connectivity.
Source: PR
