The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has reached two milestones under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) on National Waterway-1. The Kalughat Intermodal Terminal (IMT) in Bihar was formally handed over to SAPL - Summit Alliance Port East Gateway (India) Pvt. Ltd. for operations and maintenance. The terminal was built by IWAI with assistance from the World Bank, located in Saran district of Bihar. SAPL will operate and maintain the terminal on a revenue-sharing model with IWAI receiving 38.30% of the gross revenue. Cargo operations have commenced at the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) in West Bengal, operated by IRC Natural Resources Pvt. Ltd., with the first consignment of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS) from Tata Steel bound for Pandu, Guwahati in Assam. The terminal has a cargo handling capacity of 3.08 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA). IWAI has undertaken capacity enhancement of the 1,390 km stretch of NW-1 spanning Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. According to the Chairman In-charge of IWAI, Shri Sunil Kumar Singh, the transfer of Haldia MMT and Kalughat IMT to PPP operators will optimise terminal operations, improving cargo handling efficiency.
Key Entities Referenced
Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP): A project aimed at developing and enhancing inland waterways transport in India.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): The authority responsible for the development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
Kalughat Intermodal Terminal: An intermodal terminal located in Bihar handed over to SAPL for operation and maintenance under a PPP arrangement.
Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT): A multi-modal terminal in West Bengal, operating under IRC Natural Resources Pvt. Ltd. and part of the JMVP.
National Waterway-1: A 1,390 km stretch spanning Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal for capacity enhancement under the JMVP.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
IWAI Hands Over Kalughat Intermodal Terminal
to PPP Operator; Cargo Operations
Commence at Haldia MMT under Jal Marg
Vikas Project
Posted On: 07 NOV 2025 4:59PM by PIB Delhi
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways, has achieved two major milestones in advancing India’s inland water transport ecosystem
under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) on National Waterway-1.
The Kalughat Intermodal Terminal in Bihar has been formally handed over to SAPL - Summit
Alliance Port East Gateway (India) Pvt. Ltd. for operations and maintenance. Meanwhile, cargo
operations have commenced at the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) in West Bengal, operated
by IRC Natural Resources Pvt. Ltd., with the first consignment of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
(GBFS) from Tata Steel bound for Pandu, Guwahati in Assam.
Together, these developments mark a significant step towards ensuring the sustainable, efficient and
professional management of terminals developed under JMVP - furthering the the government’s
vision of integrated multimodal connectivity, public-private partnership (PPP) and sustainable
logistics along the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system.
Kalughat IMT handed over to SAPL
Built by IWAI with financial and technical assistance from the World Bank, the Kalughat Intermodal
Terminal (IMT) is strategically located in Saran district of Bihar and designed to handle a wide range
of cargo, improving trade and connectivity in the region.
Under the PPP arrangement, SAPL - Summit Alliance Port East Gateway (India) Pvt. Ltd. will
operate and maintain the terminal on a revenue-sharing model with IWAI receiving 38.30% of the
gross revenue generated from terminal operations. This model ensures a sustainable partnership
framework that aligns commercial efficiency with public interest, supporting the long-term viability
of the inland waterways ecosystem.Kalughat IMT in Bihar
Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal Begins Cargo Operations
At the downstream end of NW-1, the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) - also developed under
JMVP - has commenced its operational journey with the loading of Tata Steel’s GBFS cargo
destined for Guwahati. The terminal, handed over to IRC Natural Resources Pvt. Ltd. last month,
has a cargo handling capacity of 3.08 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) and represents a
major step in establishing inland waterways as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly logistics
corridor connecting Eastern India with the North East.
Cargo Operations at Haldia MMTDriving the Vision of Sustainable Logistics
Both developments reinforce the Government of India’s vision to make Inland Water Transport
(IWT) a key pillar of India’s logistics network. Under JMVP, IWAI has undertaken large-scale
capacity enhancement of the 1,390 km stretch of NW-1, spanning Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand
and West Bengal through fairway development, construction of multi-modal and intermodal
terminals, modern navigational infrastructure and installation of over 60 community jetties for the
benefit of local riverine communities.
Chairman In-charge, IWAI, Shri Sunil Kumar Singh stated, “Transferring Haldia MMT and Kalughat
IMT to PPP operators marks a major milestone in optimising terminal operations, improving cargo
handling efficiency and ensuring better utilisation of assets. This move aligns with the Government’s
vision of an integrated multimodal logistics network along National Waterway-1, opening new
avenues for trade and economic growth across riverine regions.”
The transition of both Kalughat and Haldia terminals to PPP-based operations reflects IWAI’s
continued commitment to operational excellence, infrastructure sustainability and seamless cargo
movement. These initiatives mark an important step in strengthening India’s inland water transport
network and advancing the nation’s vision of a greener, more efficient and integrated multimodal
logistics ecosystem.
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