Kolkata, Oct 28 Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal on Wednesday said the conglomerate is exploring investments of Rs 70,000-80,000 crore in West Bengal for power generation and an aluminium smelter.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, whom Agarwal met at the state secretariat, said the proposed investments have the potential to create around 10,000 jobs.
Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Agarwal said the group would assess the feasibility of the proposed projects, with coal availability and existing infrastructure potentially supporting industrial operations.
The projects could become operational within the next three years if the state government provided proactive support, he said.
“The chief minister told me that I could explore investment in any sector, and I said I would look at it. I promised him that thousands of jobs would be created,” Agarwal said, referring to his meeting with Adhikari earlier in the day.
He described Adhikari as proactive in seeking large industrial investments, saying the chief minister had spent considerable time discussing opportunities and had expressed keen interest in bringing major projects to the state.
“He is very excited, very dynamic, was very pleased, he spent a lot of time with me, and my commitment is with him,” Agarwal said.
He said the state government should treat the proposed projects as its own and ensure timely availability of resources and clearances to speed up implementation and encourage investment.
The combined investment in power generation and aluminium production could reach Rs 70,000-80,000 crore and generate thousands of jobs, Agarwal said.
He said Asansol is being considered as a possible location, given its coal resources and the group’s existing assets in the region.
Vedanta has around 300 acres of land in the area that could be examined for the projects, though additional land may be required.
Agarwal said alumina, the key raw material for aluminium production, could be transported from the group’s operations in Odisha, including Jharsuguda.
Existing railway connectivity could facilitate the movement of the material, he said.
Agarwal said the group will conduct a feasibility study to assess the location, infrastructure requirements and overall viability before taking a final investment decision.
He said access to coal and water, along with timely clearances, would be crucial to taking the proposals forward.
Beyond the proposed large-scale projects, Agarwal said he wanted to tap Bengal’s talent and entrepreneurial potential to generate employment on a substantial scale.
He said an aluminium smelter could also create opportunities for smaller entrepreneurs to establish downstream industries, with investments ranging from Rs 5 crore to Rs 50 crore.
“West Bengal is a state of entrepreneurs. They can set up industries for Rs 5 crore to Rs 50 crore,” he said, adding that the state had the potential to provide skilled manpower and leadership for industrial growth.
Briefing the press about his meeting with Agarwal, Adhikari said the industrialist had cited the change of government as a key reason for his renewed interest in West Bengal.
“I welcomed him and assured him that the West Bengal government would extend all possible support to him,” Adhikari said.
The chief minister claimed Agarwal told him that he had not invested in West Bengal during the previous Trinamool Congress government, despite having a presence in several other states.
“He has invested in seven states, all of which are governed by the BJP. He said BJP-ruled states provide an industry- and business-friendly environment and that such an environment was gradually being created in West Bengal as well. He expressed his intention to invest in the state,” he said.
The chief minister claimed that Agarwal also raised concerns over extortion, syndicate operations, cut-money practices, appeasement and lawlessness under the previous government, which discouraged investment in the state.
He said officers of the departments concerned were in touch with Vedanta to take the investment proposals forward.
“Unlike the previous chief minister, the present government does not believe in making claims before the details are in place,” Adhikari said.
(PTI News)
