Vedanta explores Rs 80,000 crore investment in Bengal for power, aluminium projects: Anil Agarwal

Vedanta is exploring investments of 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, adding that the proposed projects could be operational within three years, subject to feasibility and government support.

The conglomerate is considering Asansol as a potential location for the projects, given the availability of coal and existing infrastructure in the region. Vedanta has around 300 acres of land in the area that could be evaluated for the proposed facilities, although additional land may be needed.

As per PTI, speaking to reporters in Kolkata after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Agarwal said the group would undertake a feasibility study before taking a final investment decision. Access to coal and water, along with timely government clearances, would be key to implementing the projects.


"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, referring to his meeting with Adhikari earlier in the day.

He said the projects would require proactive support from the state government, including timely access to resources and approvals. Agarwal also called on the government to treat the proposed investments as its own and facilitate their implementation.

"He is very excited, very dynamic, was very pleased, he spent a lot of time with me, and my commitment is with him," Agarwal said, describing the chief minister's interest in attracting large industrial investments to the state.

Vedanta is also examining the logistics of sourcing alumina, a key raw material for aluminium production, from its operations in Odisha, including Jharsuguda. Existing railway connectivity could help transport the material to the proposed facility in West Bengal, Agarwal said.

The proposed investments could also create opportunities for smaller businesses to establish downstream industries linked to aluminium production. Agarwal said local entrepreneurs could invest in units requiring between Rs 5 crore and Rs 50 crore.

"West Bengal is a state of entrepreneurs. They can set up industries for Rs 5 crore to Rs 50 crore," he said, adding that the state had the skilled workforce and entrepreneurial potential to support industrial expansion.

Beyond the two proposed projects, Agarwal said he wanted to tap Bengal's talent and business capabilities to generate employment on a substantial scale.

The proposed investment, however, remains at the exploratory stage, with the group's feasibility assessment expected to determine the project's location, infrastructure requirements and overall viability.

With inputs from PTI