WB Govt signs deal with Salim group for infrastructure development

Kolkata, Jul 31 (UNI) The West Bengal government today signed an agreement with New Kolkata International Development Pvt Limited to develop infrastructure in the state, including health, education, industrial and housing complexes in around 40,000 acres of land.

As per the agreement, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed by the consortium of Indonesian group Salim, Universal Success group and Indian partner Unitech, would develop various projects in about 15 years.

The projects include a SEZ at Haldia over 12,500 acres and mega chemical industrial estates including a chemical SEZ over 10,000 acres of land at Nandigram in East Midnapur district of the state.

The SPV would also build a highway between Barasat (N. 24 Parganas) and Raichak (S. 24 Parganas) and would be called Eastern Link Highway. The total land required for the highway is estimated to be 2,500 acres.

The agreement was signed between the West Bengal industry secretary Mr Sabyasachi Sen, Salim group's Mr Beni Santoso and West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation Managing Director Mr Debasis Som in the presence of the Chief Minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee here.

"The comprehensive project for industrial and infrastructure development will enable inclusive growth. We will avoid fertile land while taking over land for the projects after payment of compensation. The land losers will also be trained with skills that will help them get employment in industries," West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said.

The consortium would also develop residential-commercial complex on 5000 acres in Kukrahati (East Medinipur), residential complex on 3750 acres in Baruipur (South 24 Parganas) and health and knowledge city on 1500 acres in Bhangar (South 24 Parganas district) among others.

The projects for economic rehabilitation and social development for land losers include construction of 8000 stalls in South 24 Parganas and 12000 in East Medinipur.

The consortium would set up four training institutes to provide vocational training to the youths from the land loser families free of cost.

State Commerce and Industry Minister Nirupam Sen said cost for developing the social infrastructure is around Rs 4000 crore, which would be completed by 2012. The cost of other projects would be assessed after preparing the detailed project reports, Mr Sen said.

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