India’s eastern region is set to become a hub of trade and investment after the Mamata Banerjee administration in West Bengal approved the issuance of a letter of intent to the Adani group on Monday for the development of the Tajpur port. According to shipping industry analysts, the deep sea port should ensure easier access to nearby nations like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), India’s largest port operator and a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Ports, will soon receive the letter of intent from the West Bengal Maritime Board. An investment of Rs 25,000 crore would be needed for the port’s development.
The West Bengal government’s Department of Industry, Commerce, and Enterprises floated a Request for Proposal in October for the development of the port, and APSEZ was the highest bidder. However, the state government has been taking its time since then to approve the letter of intent to APSEZ. The formal contract award to Adani Ports will come after the letter of intent.
The Tajpur deep sea port will serve as a maritime gateway for the entire eastern region, according to the West Bengal government and maritime industry experts. State Minister for Urban Development Firhad Hakim said. He continued by saying that Bengal is about to experience a wave of development through the Tajpur Port.
“This is indeed a historic moment for Bengal, it will bring massive employment opportunities and a wave of progress in Bengal. The CM will very soon hold an event and serve the letter of intent. We will get to see the first deep sea port in Bengal,” he said.
In a public-private partnership, APSEZ was also chosen as the highest bidder in February 2021 for the mechanization of a berth at the Haldia Dock Complex. But the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Trust has not yet given them the contract.
