95 mega projects, Rs 7603 investment in Bengal between 2001-05

Kolkata, Sep 7 (UNI) West Bengal has attracted a total investment of Rs 7603 crore during 2001-05 and about 95 mega projects were implemented, a study by Directorate of Industries of the state government revealed.

In a latest quarterly bulletin of 'Investment Industry and Trade in West Bengal', the directorate said the maximum investments were in the chemicals and allied industries sectors.

This segment has received investments to the tune of Rs 4,301 crore, followed by iron and steel sector at Rs 1,643 crore, it said in its bulletin.

The total number of jobs generated following the implementation of the mega projects during the period was 23,314.

The study also revealed that the software sector has drawn investments during the five-year period totalled Rs 829 crore.

Another interesting aspect was that the textiles and jute sectors had the most potential for job creation. The food processing sector, potential for job creation was 2.68 and 3.02 for iron and steel, the study said.

It pointed out that although the chemicals and allied sectors had received the maximum investment, its potential for job creation was the least.

In the infrastructure sector, the bulletin said, aircraft movement through Kolkata airport had increased by 22.3 per cent during 2005-06, which also included movement of non-scheduled aircraft.

The movement of international aircraft was up by 22.2 per cent in 2005-06 as compared to 14.2 per cent in the previous financial year.

Cargo handling at Kolkata airport also increased by seven per cent during 2005-06, the study said. Kolkata Port handled all time record of 53.02 million tonnes cargo during 2005-06.

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