West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Announces Industrial Initiatives
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a series of industrial initiatives in the state on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The key announcement included the development of a new tech-entertainment park in New Town, Kolkata.
The Chief Minister stated, "The West Bengal government is set to develop a brand new information, technology, entertainment, and cultural park on 25 acres of land in New Town. Today we earmarked the plot of land and cleared it for the project. The subsequent steps, like releasing tenders, are underway."
New Town, located on the outskirts of Kolkata, is a booming business district. The Chief Minister emphasized that the park will host international-level cultural events and will be of international standard. She added that the park has been named ‘Biswa Angan’ (courtyard of the world) in Bengali and ‘IITEC’ in English, which stands for ‘international information, technology, entertainment, and culture.’
The project is being developed under a public-private-partnership (PPP) model with the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO). The Chief Minister said, "We have cleared the land today, and this will be followed by a tendering process."
Ms. Banerjee also announced the development of new malls and large-scale marketplaces in 23 districts of the state, primarily for local artisans who are part of self-help groups (SHGs). She said, "We will build 23 shopping malls and big marketplaces in 23 districts. The government will give one acre of land for free. Private parties will undertake the construction. In exchange for the land, they will give two floors to the self-help groups for free."
The Chief Minister added that the two floors will be dedicated entirely to handmade goods made locally by the district’s SHGs. "This will ensure a market for the SHGs," she said.
Ms. Banerjee also announced that ten industrial plots with a cumulative area of 2,515 acres in the state will be allocated to multiple major companies, especially in the steel industry. She claimed that these projects will draw investments worth over ₹25,000 crores and will create more than 70,000 jobs.
The Chief Minister also announced the development of 43 micro and small-scale industries in 15 industrial estates in the districts. She said, "Bengal is leading in the MSME sector in the country… There is high demand for industrial growth in Bengal. We are conducting checks on lands and undertaking the necessary processes and clearances to move forward."
The Chief Minister concluded by saying, "The West Bengal government is set to develop a brand new information, technology, entertainment, and cultural park on 25 acres of land in New Town. Today we earmarked the plot of land and cleared it for the project. The subsequent steps, like releasing tenders, are underway."
