In a significant move to catalyse industrial expansion in West Bengal, the state government has approved the allotment of nearly 150 acres of land to Captain Industries India Pvt Ltd and Ultratech Cement Ltd in Jhargram district. The decision, taken at a recent meeting of the cabinet’s standing committee on industry, infrastructure, and employment, marks a renewed effort to diversify the region’s economic base and stimulate job creation beyond Kolkata’s industrial corridor.
The West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) will transfer 149.6 acres of land on a freehold basis to the two companies. The sites are located across the Sukhnibas and Ghagrasol mouzas in Jhargram, an area with growing potential for industrial and logistics investments due to improving connectivity and the government’s decentralisation push.
According to officials, the move is expected to draw further investment interest in the state’s western districts, historically less industrialised compared to the southern and eastern belts. “The allotment underlines the state’s intent to promote balanced regional growth and industrial diversification,” said an industry department official, adding that the freehold model could enhance investor confidence by offering long-term operational flexibility.
Captain Industries, co-promoted by former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, had signalled its interest in setting up a manufacturing facility in West Bengal nearly two years ago. The company’s project aligns with the state’s broader industrial roadmap unveiled at the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS), where the focus remains on attracting large-scale, employment-intensive industries with sustainable operational frameworks.
Industry experts view Ultratech Cement’s participation as a strategic step in strengthening eastern India’s construction materials supply chain. Cement demand in the region has surged in recent years, driven by infrastructure expansion, affordable housing schemes, and rapid urbanisation.Economists also note that Jhargram’s inclusion in the industrial map could support local employment and skill-building initiatives, particularly if companies adopt sustainable manufacturing practices. “This could become a model for green industrialisation in tier-three regions, provided environmental safeguards are built into project design,” said an urban economist familiar with the development.
The state government has indicated that all future industrial allotments will incorporate sustainability checks including waste management, carbon footprint reduction, and renewable energy use in line with West Bengal’s climate-resilient growth strategy.If executed effectively, the twin projects in Jhargram could signal a new phase of inclusive, regionally balanced industrialisation for the state, contributing to both economic and environmental resilience.
Jhargram Allots 149.6 Acres To Captain Industries And Ultratech Cement For Expansion
