Vedanta is exploring an investment of Rs 70,000-80,000 crore in West Bengal to develop power generation facilities and an aluminium smelter, chairman Anil Agarwal said on Wednesday, with Asansol being considered as a possible location for the projects. The proposed facilities could be operational within three years if feasibility studies are favourable and the state government provides the required support and clearances.
Agarwal made the announcement after meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata. He said the group would first assess the project’s viability, including access to coal and water, land availability, transport links and the approvals required for construction and operations.
Vedanta has approximately 300 acres of land in the Asansol area that could be evaluated for the proposed facilities. The company may need additional land, depending on the final design and infrastructure requirements. Asansol’s existing industrial base, coal availability and established infrastructure were cited as factors behind its consideration as a potential project site.
The proposal would combine power generation with aluminium manufacturing, creating a requirement for substantial industrial infrastructure and a reliable supply of raw materials. Agarwal said Vedanta was also examining the possibility of transporting alumina from its operations in Odisha, including Jharsuguda, to the proposed West Bengal facility. Existing railway connectivity could support that movement, he said.
The project would require the state government to facilitate access to land and resources, as well as provide timely approvals. Agarwal said the proposed investment could generate thousands of jobs and called for the government to treat the projects as its own and support their implementation. The company has not yet taken a final investment decision.
Agarwal also linked the proposed plant to the development of smaller downstream businesses. He said local entrepreneurs could establish aluminium-related units requiring investments of between Rs 5 crore and Rs 50 crore. These businesses could form part of a wider industrial network around the main facility, although the nature, scale and number of such units have not been finalised.
The feasibility assessment will determine whether Asansol is suitable, how much additional land and infrastructure would be needed, and whether the proposed investment can proceed. The timing of construction and commissioning will depend on the outcome of that assessment, government support and the completion of statutory approvals.
