Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 24 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said "Bengal must now become a prime destination for investment", as he highlighted the state's growing cooperation with the Centre and welcomed around ₹3,500 crore worth of expansion projects in the defence manufacturing and shipbuilding sector.
Adhikari was speaking during a virtual Bhumi Pujan ceremony for five expansion projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Yantra India Limited (YIL), held in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The projects, located across GRSE facilities in Kolkata, Howrah and Raichak and YIL's Metal and Steel Factory in Ishapore, are aimed at strengthening India's shipbuilding, ship repair, metallurgical and defence production capabilities.
"West Bengal possesses immense potential-land, human resources, infrastructure, raw materials and everything else. But now, the 'double-engine' government is operating at full speed. Previously, this 'double-engine' was missing in Bengal...Both before and after independence, West Bengal played a pivotal role in the nation's investment and economy," Adhikari said.
He said the state government was working with the Centre to revive Bengal's industrial potential and attract investment, while stressing that unemployment remained a major challenge.
"We need investment; Bengal needs to be revitalised. Unemployment is a major issue. For all the builders, MSMEs and engineering organisations here, the climate is shifting, and the atmosphere is changing. Bengal must now become a prime destination for investment," he said.
Adhikari also highlighted his government's cooperation with the Centre on national security and border infrastructure.
"It has been 106 days since the new government took office. Regarding the work we undertook for national security, particularly along our borders, there were several unfenced stretches. This was not a political issue; providing land to the BSF along the border is a patriotic duty," he said.
The Chief Minister claimed that since his government took office, around 90 per cent of the land required by the BSF along the border had been handed over.
"Since our government took office, we have already handed over 90% of the land to the BSF to secure our borders. We are doing this for the safety and security of the nation," he said.
Adhikari also said his government had initiated processes related to implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Census, which he alleged had been stalled earlier.
On the defence projects inaugurated through the Bhumi Pujan, Adhikari said he had discussed investment and recruitment opportunities in the defence sector with Rajnath Singh after assuming office.
"After assuming charge as Chief Minister, I met Rajnath Singh to seek his blessings. I mentioned the points I had; he assured me that regarding investments and recruitment in the defense sector, he would work to fulfill the expectations of the people of Bengal," he said.
"Furthermore, if any major defense manufacturing unit is to be set up, there will be no issues regarding land; the state government is ready to extend its full cooperation," Adhikari said.
The five projects involve a total investment of approximately ₹3,500 crore and are expected to generate employment while creating opportunities for ancillary industries and MSMEs.
The GRSE expansion includes development of a major shipbuilding facility at Raichak, where the company plans to invest more than ₹2,500 crore. The facility will be capable of constructing warships up to 200 metres long and commercial vessels of up to 60,000 tonnes deadweight.
GRSE will also develop facilities at Timber Pond in Shalimar, Howrah, and the Damodar facility at Kidderpore for shipbuilding, repair and construction of smaller vessels.
The two YIL projects at Ishapore, involving an investment of more than ₹750 crore, will strengthen indigenous production of critical defence and strategic components, including heavy forgings and specialised metal products.
Speaking at the event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the projects would strengthen India's pursuit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World, while emphasising the importance of indigenous defence manufacturing.
"Self-reliance is not merely a policy; it is a force multiplier for battlefield capability. In this endeavor, the roles of GRSE and YIL will be crucial," Singh said.
The Defence Minister also said India's growing capabilities in shipbuilding, combined with rising global demand and declining capacity in some traditional shipbuilding nations, presented a major opportunity for the country to emerge as a global shipbuilding hub.
These projects will mark an important step towards restoring West Bengal's industrial prominence and strengthening its role in India's development journey. (ANI)
"Bengal must now become a prime destination for investment": Suvendu Adhikari on ₹3,500-crore defence projects
