Vedanta eyes Rs 80,000-crore investment in Bengal for power, aluminium projects and jobs

New Delhi: Vedanta Group is exploring investments worth Rs 70,000-80,000 crore in West Bengal to set up power generation facilities and an aluminium smelter, chairman Anil Agarwal said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Agarwal said the group would conduct a feasibility study to assess the proposed projects, with coal availability and existing infrastructure among the factors that could support industrial operations.

The projects could become operational within the next three years if the state government provides proactive support, he said.

Agarwal made the remarks after meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari earlier in the day. He said the chief minister had encouraged the group to explore investment opportunities across sectors and that he had committed to creating thousands of jobs.

“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.

Describing Adhikari as proactive in attracting large industrial investments, Agarwal said the chief minister had spent considerable time discussing potential projects and had expressed interest in bringing major industries to the state.

He urged the state government to take ownership of the proposed projects and ensure the timely availability of resources and clearances to facilitate their implementation.

Asansol under consideration for projects

The combined investment in power generation and aluminium production could reach Rs 70,000-80,000 crore, with the potential to generate thousands of jobs, Agarwal said.

The group is considering Asansol as a possible location because of its coal resources and Vedanta’s existing assets in the region.

The company has around 300 acres of land in the area that could be evaluated for the proposed projects, although additional land may be needed, he said.

Agarwal added that alumina, a key raw material for aluminium production, could be transported from the group's operations in Odisha, including Jharsuguda. Existing railway connectivity could help facilitate the movement of the material.

The group will assess the location, infrastructure requirements and overall viability before making a final investment decision, he said.

Access to coal and water, along with timely regulatory clearances, would be crucial to taking the proposals forward.

Aluminium smelter could support smaller industries

Beyond the large-scale projects, Agarwal said Vedanta wanted to tap West Bengal’s talent and entrepreneurial potential to create employment on a substantial scale.

He said the proposed aluminium smelter could also encourage the development of downstream industries, creating opportunities for smaller entrepreneurs to establish businesses 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,” Agarwal said, adding that the state had the skilled workforce and leadership potential to support industrial growth.

PTI