The government of West Bengal has decided to develop a seaport near Shankarpur in East Midnapore with private participation and at a potential investment of Rs 4,231 crore. The minor port will have cargo storage berths for general commodities, iron ore, coal and limestone. Once implemented, the project will benefit the whole of the Northeast and east India, besides Nepal and Bhutan. The proposed port will have a 12-metre draught and this will enable ships with a maximum of 60,000 tonnes of cargo to come here. Thus the location of the port is ideal as it would remain navigable throughout the year.