IWAI hands over Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal in West Bengal to PPP operator IRC Natural Resources
The Inland Waterways Authority of India handed over the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal in West Bengal, on National Waterway-1, to PPP operator IRC Natural Resources, which quoted a royalty of ₹105.03 per tonne (PIB, 17 October 2025).
Summary
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, handed over the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) in West Bengal to IRC Natural Resources under a public-private partnership, PIB reported on 17 October 2025. Built by IWAI with financial and technical assistance from the World Bank, the terminal has a capacity of 3.08 million tonnes a year and was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 13 January 2023. IWAI adopted an Equip, Operate and Transfer (EOT) model, with the concessionaire chosen by open bidding to operate and maintain the terminal for 10 years, extendable by 5. IRC Natural Resources was the highest bidder with a royalty of ₹105.03 per tonne of cargo handled. The terminal is part of the Jal Marg Vikas Project to enhance the capacity of the 1,390 km stretch of National Waterway-1 (Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly).
Key facts
- Terminal
- Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal, West Bengal (NW-1)
- Operator
- IRC Natural Resources
- Model
- PPP — Equip, Operate and Transfer (EOT); 10 years + 5
- Royalty
- ₹105.03 per tonne to IWAI
- Capacity
- 3.08 million tonnes per annum
- Inaugurated
- 13 Jan 2023, by PM Modi
- Funding
- World Bank assistance; Jal Marg Vikas Project
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal on National Waterway-1 was handed over by IWAI in October 2025 to which PPP operator?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — IRC Natural Resources
PIB: IWAI handed over the Haldia MMT to IRC Natural Resources, which emerged as the highest bidder.
Under which PPP model has IWAI given the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal to a private operator?
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Correct answer: A — Equip, Operate and Transfer (EOT)
PIB: IWAI adopted a Public-Private Partnership model on an Equip, Operate and Transfer (EOT) basis for operation and maintenance over 10 years, extendable by 5.
Consider the following statements about the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal: 1. It was built by IWAI with financial and technical assistance from the World Bank and has a capacity of 3.08 million tonnes per annum. 2. The concession for its operation and maintenance is for 10 years, extendable by another 5 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: the terminal was built with World Bank assistance, has a capacity of 3.08 MMTPA, and the O&M concession is for 10 years, extendable by 5.