The seeds sown at the Bengal Global Business Summit are now bearing fruit. On Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her cabinet has approved 2,515 acres of land across 10 plots for industrial use, paving the way for projects worth ₹25,000 crore in private investment. The decision marks a significant push towards industrialization, one of Mamata’s core promises after taking oath for her third term in 2021. After the cabinet meeting, Mamata said, “Our goal is rapid industrialization and the creation of employment.”
📊 Steel Sector Leads, MSMEs Also Get Support
According to the CM, most of the proposed investments are focused on the steel industry. The approved industrial land spans key regions such as Purulia, Durgapur, and Panagarh—all under the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC).
In addition to large-scale industries, the cabinet also approved land allotments for 43 companies in 15 MSME industrial parks, supporting small and medium-scale entrepreneurs.
The state government expects these projects to generate around 70,000 jobs both directly and indirectly.
🎬 Shopping Malls with Cinema Halls in 11 Districts Under PPP Model
Expanding beyond heavy industry, the state cabinet also approved a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative to build shopping malls with cinema halls in 11 districts. This comes after Tollywood stakeholders reportedly urged the CM to boost entertainment infrastructure in the state.
Each mall will include at least two floors reserved for self-help groups (SHGs) to promote local entrepreneurship and crafts.
Approved districts for shopping malls include: Purulia, Darjeeling, Howrah, Murshidaba, Bankura
(12 more districts are under consideration, according to Mamata)
🧭 Mamata’s Upcoming North Bengal Tour
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will embark on a North Bengal tour next week. Her itinerary includes:
Monday: Meeting with North Bengal business leaders in Siliguri
Tuesday: Public service delivery program in Odlabari, Jalpaiguri
Wednesday: Administrative review meeting at Uttarkanya, the North Bengal state secretariat
Thursday: Return to Kolkata
The discussions will focus on resolving procedural hurdles in investments, as Mamata had announced the formation of a Synergy Committee at the recent Bengal Global Business Summit to streamline business approvals and coordination.
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