The West Bengal government is set to hand over land to 33 companies for industrial projects ahead of Durga Puja, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Friday, signalling an effort to accelerate investment and industrial development in the state.
Speaking at City Centre in Salt Lake after inaugurating a festive apparel installation, Adhikari said the state cabinet had approved the allocation of land to the companies.
“The cabinet has cleared giving land to 33 industries. We will organise a programme before Durga Puja to hand over the land,” Adhikari said.
The chief minister said several projects had received momentum over the past four months, while a number of other investments were in the pipeline. He attributed the push to efforts to improve Bengal's business environment.
“The image of Bengal had been damaged for years for various reasons. In the past four months, we have taken several steps to create a business-friendly environment in Bengal,” he said.
Adhikari also criticised what he described as the influence of syndicates and the “cut-money culture”, saying the government had a responsibility to improve conditions for investors.
Ambani meeting planned to seek fresh investment
The chief minister said he planned to travel to Mumbai after Ganesh Puja to meet Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and explore further investment opportunities in Bengal.
“I spoke to Anant Ambani on the phone. He is also interested. He invited me to Mumbai. I will go after Ganesh Puja to meet Mukesh bhai,” Adhikari said.
The announcement comes as the state seeks to project Bengal as an increasingly investment-friendly destination and attract projects across sectors.
140 new apparel stores planned
At City Centre, Adhikari inaugurated a 50ft by 20ft installation described by Style Baazar as the “world’s largest fashion wardrobe”. A company spokesperson said the installation had entered the Guinness World Records.
Adhikari said Style Baazar, which currently operates 110 outlets in Bengal, had committed to opening another 140 stores in the state over the coming years.
“They sought three years. I requested them to do it in 18 months. The new stores will create thousands of jobs, both direct and indirect,” he said.
He added that the expansion would also generate employment through vendors and other businesses associated with the retail network.
The promoters of the retail chain have also acquired 100 acres in Purulia for a proposed solar power plant, according to Adhikari.
“They have directly purchased land. They will set up a solar power plant. I will go to the foundation stone-laying ceremony,” he said.
Adani hospital, Haldia expansion among projects
Adhikari said the foundation stone for a proposed 2,000-bed hospital in New Town, backed by the Adani Group, was scheduled to be laid on September 24. He said Gautam Adani was expected to attend, subject to confirmation.
He also highlighted the proposed expansion of Haldia Petrochemicals, pegged at ₹6,000 crore, saying the project was ready and that he intended to inaugurate the facility before Durga Puja.
A defence-related project at Junput in East Midnapore was also mentioned. Adhikari said the Defence Research and Development Organisation had previously written to the state government regarding the proposal, but alleged that no response had been sent at the time.
“We have responded to that letter,” he said, adding that further details would be disclosed later.
Several industrial projects already underway
Adhikari cited a number of projects that have progressed in Bengal in recent months, including an L&T technology campus in New Town, the Lux Cozi manufacturing facility in Dankuni, the Shyam Steel expansion at Mejia and Amul's integrated dairy processing plant at Sankrail Food Park in Howrah.
He also referred to the greenfield integrated steel manufacturing project of Amit Metaliks at Raghunathpur in Purulia.
The chief minister said the government was carrying out verification before approving industrial proposals.
“Whatever we are doing is foolproof. Every credential and piece of credibility is being verified. We are not doing this only for photo-ops,” Adhikari said.
He argued that stronger industrial activity would broaden the state's revenue base and create greater scope for spending on education, healthcare and infrastructure.
Adhikari also said he would travel to Delhi to attend a dinner for chief ministers being hosted on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.
