Deep-sea port project: State eyes new site at Dadanpatrabar

Kolkata: Bengal govt has identified 1,700 acres at Dadanpatrabar — about 10 km from Tajpur — for the long-delayed proposed deep-sea port project in the state. Govt is also exploring the development of minor ports and may consider setting up a dedicated shipping department to strengthen maritime logistics.CM Suvendu Adhikari shared the update on Thursday, a day after meeting Adani Ports MD Karan Adani. The CM said the original location was not feasible for the port project since a viable port needs strong rail and highway links, which would require a few thousand acres — something not possible at the existing Tajpur site. "The Adani Group has already exited the Tajpur project. In the existing location the state has no land. I have already mentioned that without rail connectivity and highway connectivity port project isn't viable," Adhikari said.In Dadanpatrabar, however, the state has 1,700 acres of land, the CM said, and that this can be utilised for the port project. "I have spoken to Union shipping minister Sabanand Sonowal for the nod. It will soon be received. We can start work with the existing land and later, more land can be acquired," he added.On minor ports, Adhikari said states like Gujarat have led the way, while Odisha has developed a few—calling it an area the state can build on.Karan Adani met the CM on Wednesday at Nabanna. While group sources described it as a courtesy call, some said Adhikari had invited the Adani Group to invest in infrastructure, power, logistics and other sectors.The meeting draws attention because the previous state govt had cancelled the initial Tajpur tender and was preparing a fresh process. Before Puja in 2025, the Mamata Banerjee-led govt issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Tajpur deep-sea port in East Midnapore, after scrapping the first tender in which Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) had emerged as the winning bidder.