Kolkata: West Bengal is positioned to facilitate fresh investments worth approximately ₹1 lakh crore over the next few months, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said while unveiling the state’s new Investment Promotion Policy, 2026.
Speaking at the policy launch in Kolkata on November 5, Adhikari said the government was working to ensure industrial land availability and provide support to investors.
“We are currently in a position to facilitate investments of around ₹1 lakh crore over the next few months,” he said.
The new policy aims to accelerate industrialisation, generate employment and improve the state’s investment environment through financial incentives, streamlined approvals and improved land availability.
New Investment Policy Offers Incentives Up to 120%
The West Bengal Investment Promotion Policy, 2026, introduces financial assistance for eligible industrial investments, with higher incentives for businesses operating in priority areas and thrust sectors.
Key provisions include:
- Up to 120% assistance: Eligible units in thrust sectors located in priority areas can receive assistance of up to 120% of their eligible investment in plant and machinery, distributed over 10 years.
- Single-window clearance: An online system will facilitate applications, approvals, financial assistance and grievance redressal within stipulated timelines.
- Employment generation: The policy provides incentives to encourage recruitment, particularly of women and transgender persons.
- Priority sectors: Semiconductors, electronics, electric vehicles, green hydrogen, pharmaceuticals, defence production, textiles and food processing.
- MSME support: The policy also covers micro, small and medium enterprises, alongside large industrial units.
The policy will apply to investments made on or after May 9, 2026, when the BJP government assumed office in the state.
Government Plans Land Banks for Industrial Projects
Land availability is another major focus of the government’s industrialisation strategy. Adhikari said the state would facilitate land procurement through direct purchases, land pooling, existing industrial parks and unused industrial plots.
The Chief Minister ruled out forcible land acquisition and said the government would engage directly with landowners.
“Decisions will be taken through discussions, not by force,” he said.
The government is also exploring financial support from institutions such as HUDCO, NABARD and the Asian Development Bank to facilitate land purchases.
Amul, Vedanta, Reliance Among Companies With Land Arrangements
Adhikari also outlined several industrial proposals and land arrangements involving major companies.
These include:
- Amul: Two plots measuring 15 acres each have been offered for ice-cream manufacturing units.
- Vedanta Group: The company has selected a plot belonging to the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority.
- Campa Cola and Reliance Industries: Land arrangements have been made for their projects at Haringhata.
- Matrix: Land has been arranged for the company’s expansion at Panagarh.
- Sanjiv Goenka Group: Land arrangements have been facilitated for proposals in Haldia.
He also said the government had facilitated land arrangements for 33 business groups.
₹50,000 Crore Industrial Incentive Backlog Remains
Alongside its fresh investment push, the state government is also facing an estimated ₹50,000 crore backlog of industrial incentives promised under previous policies.
Adhikari said the state was currently unable to clear the accumulated liabilities, citing its debt burden of approximately ₹8 lakh crore.
He indicated that the government would address the backlog once West Bengal’s financial position improves, pointing to states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu as examples of stronger state finances.
The new policy, meanwhile, provides for a dedicated ₹5,000 crore fund to support fresh industrial incentives.
The government’s investment push marks a renewed effort to attract industrial projects to West Bengal through financial assistance, improved land access and time-bound clearances.
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