West Bengal CM signals industrial push for Singur with Ashok Leyland talks
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari unveiled a new investment policy and discussed a potential vehicle manufacturing plant in Singur.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Thursday that his government is in talks with vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland to set up a plant at Singur. Speaking at an event in New Town, Kolkata, to unveil the West Bengal Investment Promotion Policy 2026, Adhikari indicated the state is exploring a heavy commercial vehicle manufacturing facility in the Hooghly district town.
The proposed industrial investment in Singur could involve around Rs 650 crore, according to reports from Times Now. Adhikari stated that the government wants real investment rather than just signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for publicity. He noted that the site was previously used for the Tata Nano project, which was abandoned in 2008 following protests against land acquisition.
Addressing land concerns, Adhikari said his government would not use police for forcible land acquisition like the Left Front government. He said the administration will purchase lands itself and is in talks with HUDCO, NABARD, and ADB for funds. He added that officials are studying land policies in states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
The new investment policy aims to attract manufacturing and create jobs, offering financial assistance of up to 120 per cent of investment in plant and machinery for eligible units. The policy includes incentives for businesses employing women and those using eco-friendly energy. Adhikari linked the push to an employment crisis, stating nearly 2 crore educated people are unemployed in the state.
Adhikari also issued a message to industries currently holding land allocated by the state to either start new units within three months or return the land at the original acquisition price. Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said the government is building a large land bank to support these efforts.