Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal has announced plans to explore investments of ₹70,000 crore to ₹80,000 crore in West Bengal for power generation and an aluminium smelter. The proposed projects are subject to feasibility studies and would depend on the availability of essential resources, infrastructure and government support.
Agarwal shared the investment proposal on October 28 after meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the state secretariat in Nabanna, Kolkata. He said the projects could become operational within the next three years if the state government provides the necessary support, resources and clearances.
Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district is being considered as a potential location, given its coal resources and the group’s existing landholdings in the region. Vedanta has around 300 acres of land in the area that could be assessed for the proposed facilities, although additional land may be required depending on the project’s scale.
The proposed aluminium smelter could source alumina from the group’s operations in Odisha, including Jharsuguda, with existing railway connectivity potentially facilitating transportation. Access to coal and water will also be crucial for the projects, particularly for power generation and energy-intensive aluminium production.
Agarwal said the group would conduct a feasibility study to evaluate the location, infrastructure requirements and overall viability before making a final investment decision. He also highlighted the potential for downstream aluminium industries to emerge around the proposed smelter, creating opportunities for smaller businesses with investments ranging from ₹5 crore to ₹50 crore.
According to Adhikari, the proposed projects could generate around 10,000 direct employment opportunities for local people. The Chief Minister assured Vedanta of the state government’s support in taking the investment proposals forward.
The proposed investment would expand Vedanta’s industrial presence in eastern India if the projects materialise. However, the group is yet to take a final investment decision, with feasibility assessments and the availability of land, coal, water and regulatory clearances remaining key factors in determining their implementation.
