HALDIA — Prime Minister Narendra Modi today commissioned the Haldia Bulk Terminal (HBT), a state-of-the-art facility developed by Adani Ports (APSEZ). As India’s first fully automated dry bulk terminal, the project marks a significant shift toward mechanized, high-efficiency maritime operations on the eastern seaboard.

Key Highlights:

• Capacity & Role: The terminal features an annual handling capacity of 4 million metric tonnes (MMTPA), specifically designed for dry bulk commodities like imported coal, bauxite, and limestone.
• Direct Rail Evacuation: A standout feature is the 1.54-km dedicated rail line and a 2,000-tonne Railway Wagon Loading System (RWLS), allowing cargo to move directly from ships to trains, drastically reducing port dwell time.
• Modern Infrastructure: The facility is equipped with advanced conveyor systems, two mobile harbor cranes, and two stacker-cum-reclaimers to automate stockyard management and eliminate manual "jetty dumping."
• Economic Impact: The terminal is set to streamline industrial supply chains for the steel and power sectors in West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, aligning with the PM Gati Shakti and Sagarmala initiatives to lower national logistics costs.

The project was completed by HDC Bulk Terminal Ltd under a 30-year concession, with construction finishing on schedule after commencing in July 2023.