Western Carriers (India) Ltd has secured a 15-year contract to develop and operate a General Cargo Terminal (GCT) at the GCD Yard of the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) under the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority in Kolkata.
The terminal, which is already operational, will handle containers and other cargo. Under the next phase of the project, Western Carriers will undertake development work aimed at increasing cargo handling capacity, improving operational efficiency and expanding the range of services offered at the facility.
According to initial estimates by the port authority, the civil infrastructure development associated with the project is expected to require an investment of approximately ₹13.68 crore. The estimated investment may be revised as the project progresses.
Located at Khidderpore in Kolkata, the GCD Yard provides an important interface for cargo movement and is connected to road, rail and inland waterways. The Kolkata Dock System is also linked with the Eastern Railway network through the Sealdah and Budge Budge sections, supporting cargo movement across eastern India.
The terminal strengthens Western Carriers’ presence in eastern India’s logistics infrastructure and adds a physical terminal asset to its existing logistics operations. The company is expected to use the facility to support more integrated cargo movement across rail and road networks while improving cargo handling capabilities.
The development also comes as Western Carriers expands beyond its traditional asset-light logistics model into direct terminal operations. In the first quarter of FY27, the company reported consolidated operating revenue of ₹465 crore, representing an 11.8% year-on-year increase, while total container volumes rose nearly 15% year-on-year to 58,261 TEUs.
The company’s domestic-to-EXIM volume mix also shifted to 40:60 in Q1 FY27 from 30:70 around six quarters earlier, indicating a stronger contribution from domestic cargo volumes.
The General Cargo Terminal is expected to strengthen multimodal connectivity in the region by bringing together rail-linked cargo movement, road transportation and modern cargo-handling infrastructure. Its location within the Kolkata Dock System provides access to a key maritime gateway for eastern India.
Rajendra Sethia, Chairman and Managing Director, Western Carriers (India), said the General Cargo Terminal represents an important addition to the company’s logistics infrastructure portfolio. He said the facility provides opportunities to enhance cargo handling capabilities and multimodal connectivity, with the company focusing on operational efficiency, expanding services and creating long-term value for customers and stakeholders.
The project is aligned with broader government initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s logistics infrastructure, including the National Logistics Policy, PM Gati Shakti, Multi Modal Logistics Parks, Bharatmala, Sagarmala, Dedicated Freight Corridors and the Logistics Efficiency Enhancement Programme.
The company has now launched the GCD Yard-General Cargo Terminal at Khidderpore, Kolkata, further strengthening its rail-linked logistics network and its focus on integrated cargo movement in eastern India.
