Mamata to launch global tender for Tajpur Deep-Sea port, Adani likely to be excluded

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has confirmed that the state government will initiate a global tender for the Tajpur deep-sea port project after facing delays under the initial agreement with the Adani Group. The Adani Group had signed a letter of intent for the project, proposing an investment of 25,000 crore rupees, but progress on the project has been slow, and the state's government has now decided to move ahead with a fresh tender process.

During a recent administrative meeting at Nabanna, Mamata Banerjee outlined that legal consultation would be sought before moving forward with the global tender. "If that doesn't happen, we will need to go for a global tender. Please seek legal advice for that," Banerjee stated. The decision follows concerns over the lack of significant progress in the development of the port and the prolonged delays in meeting construction timelines. The deep-sea port, if completed, would help improve the state’s connectivity to international shipping lanes and provide a substantial boost to Bengal’s maritime trade capacity.

The Tajpur port is intended to be a state-of-the-art deep-sea port capable of handling large cargo ships, which would elevate the state’s industrial potential. Its construction is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, not only in the port itself but also in associated sectors such as logistics, transportation, and manufacturing. The port has been viewed as a major infrastructure project that could positively impact the region’s economic development by enhancing trade routes and fostering industrial growth in the state.

Initially, the Adani Group showed interest in the Tajpur port development and had committed a major investment. However, the group is currently dealing with multiple legal challenges, including a combination of civil and criminal lawsuits in the United States. In India, political criticism of the group has grown, particularly due to allegations of business malpractices and concerns about corporate governance. Additionally, the central government raised concerns that any potential shortcomings in the project’s execution would result in responsibility falling on the state government, further complicating the partnership between the state and the Adani Group.

Alongside the Tajpur port project, the West Bengal government is also managing the development of the Deucha-Pachami coal mine in Birbhum. This coal mine project, according to reports from Nabanna, is on track for completion, with only a few minor issues remaining. Once operational, the Deucha-Pachami coal mine is expected to be one of the largest coal mining projects in India, significantly enhancing the state's energy production capacity. The state government sees both the Tajpur port and the Deucha-Pachami coal mine as key projects that could significantly improve Bengal’s industrial infrastructure and contribute to its long-term economic growth.

Given the current state of the Tajpur deep-sea port project, the West Bengal government is actively exploring all available options to ensure its successful development. The move to launch a global tender signifies the government's commitment to fast-tracking the port's construction, regardless of the setbacks faced thus far. As the tender process moves forward, it remains unclear whether the Adani Group will be involved in any capacity, or whether the state will seek new bidders for the project.