West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari met Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai on Monday as the BJP-led state government stepped up its efforts to attract large-scale private investment to Bengal.
The meeting, held at Ambani’s residence and lasting nearly an hour, focused on the possibility of fresh investment in West Bengal and expansion of Reliance’s existing business interests in the state, according to a senior Reliance Group spokesperson.
The outreach comes as the new Bengal government seeks to position the state as an investment destination and engage directly with major corporate groups. Officials have indicated that the government is keen to facilitate expansion of existing industrial operations while attracting new projects that could generate investment and employment.
Reliance Expansion in Focus
The discussions assume significance given Reliance’s existing presence in Bengal. The group has been allotted land at the Bengal Silicon Valley Hub in New Town for a data centre, while the state government has also spoken about Reliance’s interest in expanding into the semiconductor sector.
Sources cited by The Times of India said the discussions also covered potential investments in IT, semiconductors and biogas, besides the possibility of a Vantara-linked project in Bengal. The latter remains at the discussion stage, with possible locations reportedly being considered in parts of north Bengal and southern Bengal.
No specific fresh investment amount or final project was announced immediately after the meeting.
The Ambani meeting is part of a broader investment drive by the Adhikari government. The chief minister has been engaging with major business groups while the state prepares to hand over land to 33 companies for industrial projects ahead of Durga Puja.
The government is also highlighting projects involving other major corporate groups. Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani is expected to visit Bengal for the foundation-stone ceremony of a proposed 2,000-bed hospital in New Town, while the state has also been pursuing projects in defence and petrochemicals.
