The Haldia inland waterway terminal and jetty is set to be operational for sensind Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and inland cargo to Guwahati's Pandu terminal, which connects to Kolkata's Northeast region, through National Waterway 2.

The new port will be an easy and cost-effective route for cargo movement to and from the Northeast to foreign countries and other states of India.

The Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, is in talks with many stakeholders of the ports and shipping sector of Kolkata and Haldia ports. He said that oil public sector undertakings (PSUs), including Tata Steel, Steel Authority of India (SAIL), terminal operators, barge operators, shipping lines, custom clearing agents and land users of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, participated in the meeting.

The minister wants to partner with them and use the combined sea and river route, National Waterway 1 and 2, through Kolkata port.

He added that the contract had been awarded for maintaining both the National Waterways and the barge operators would soon begin using the waterways. Sonowal further said that that the Ministry has planned to provide guarantees to the banks for providing soft funds for barges.

According to sources, the stakeholders will utilise this opportunity to partner with the ministry and make it a successful mission. Over 40 major players participated in the stakeholders' meeting.

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