Railways disburses 35 MMT cargo of SPMP’s total volume
The Statesman | 8 August 2025
Of the 65 MMT cargo handled by the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port last year, around 35 MMT got disbursed by the railways, informed the chairman of the city port Rathendra Raman today.
Mr Raman was speaking during the Rail Synergy Summit 2025, organised by Confederation of Indian Industry West Bengal in Kolkata. Pointing out the importance of the Railways and the port, the chairman said, “Promising potential of a coordinated synergy between the railway and the port is required to ensure seamless cargo movement to the hinterland.”
Echoing the assertions, Mr Md Asad Alam, managing director, Braithwaite and Co said that the state is getting towards being the hub of the rolling stock sector, developing the ancillary industry of the region. He also reiterated the fact that West Bengal has eight wagon manufacturers out of the total 30 in India. The railway has played a vital role in bridging the gap between rural and urban areas, significantly contributing to the development of the supply chain network. Vivek Lohia, managing director of Jupiter Wagons, added that the railway sector will also be pivotal in the process of transition away from fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, moving ahead in the direction of rejuvenating Kolkata’s iconic riverfront, the SMP and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for beautification of Surinam Ghat and development of Mayer Ghat. As per the MoU signed, the GRSE will beautify Surinam Ghat and will take development work at Mayer Ghat under Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. The beautification of Surinam Ghat and development of Mayer Ghats is expected to uplift the local environment and also to reconnect citizens with their rich riverine heritage.
Speaking about the initiative, the SMP chairman said: “Our ghats are not just transit points — they are living remnants of Kolkata’s maritime history woven deeply into the cultural fabric of the City of Joy. Through this partnership with GRSE, we are not only investing in infrastructure but also in preserving heritage and promoting civic pride.”