Reliance to Invest ₹50,000 Crore in Bengal by 2030; JSW Group Plans ₹16,000 Crore Power Plant Investment
The 8th Bengal Global Business Summit, industry leaders revealed major investment plans, signalling the growing industrial and economic importance of West Bengal. Among the notable announcements, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani unveiled a massive ₹50,000 crore investment for the state by 2030, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to Bengal’s development. This investment will be distributed across various sectors including digital infrastructure, data centres, retail expansion, and solar energy.
In his speech, Ambani highlighted that Reliance’s investments in Bengal had surged dramatically from under ₹2,000 crore in 2016 to ₹50,000 crore today—an increase of 20 times in less than a decade. He expressed his confidence that by the end of the decade, this investment figure would double, showcasing the group’s long-term commitment to the state. Ambani also revealed that these investments have already created over one lakh direct jobs for the people of Bengal, underlining the positive impact on local employment and the economy.
One of the most exciting developments was the announcement of Reliance Jio’s AI-ready data centre in Kolkata, which will become operational within the next nine months. Since its launch in Kolkata in 2016, Jio has grown to cover 100% of the state’s population, with Kolkata holding the record for the highest data usage on Jio’s network in India. Ambani also spoke about expanding Reliance’s retail footprint in Bengal, with plans to increase the number of stores to 1,700 over the next three years, further consolidating the group’s presence in the region. Meanwhile, JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal revealed plans to invest ₹16,000 crore in a 1,600 MW power plant in Salboni, Bengal. Jindal expressed that if additional power is needed in the state, the company is prepared to double its investment, bringing the total to ₹32,000 crore by expanding the power plant’s capacity to 3,200 MW. Jindal praised West Bengal’s evolving policies and the state’s competitiveness as a prime destination for investment.
In addition to these announcements, other major corporate leaders shared their plans for expanding their operations in Bengal. ITC’s Chairman Sanjiv Puri highlighted the company’s ₹7,500 crore investment in the state, spread across manufacturing, agriculture, and IT sectors. He also inaugurated the ITC Infotech Global AI Centre of Excellence in Kolkata, which is set to enhance the city’s position as a hub for global AI innovation. The RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, another significant investor in Bengal, announced that it has already invested ₹40,000 crore in the state and plans to invest an additional ₹10,000 crore in sectors like energy, healthcare, and education. This marks a clear commitment to strengthening the state’s infrastructure and social development.
Finally, the Kolkata-based Ambuja Neotia Group outlined a ₹15,000 crore investment roadmap for the next five years. The group’s plans include Bengal’s first international-standard golf township, which will feature an 18-hole course and cost ₹5,000 crore. This high-end development is expected to further boost the region’s real estate and tourism sectors. The Bengal Global Business Summit has firmly established West Bengal as a rising industrial and economic hub. With major corporate giants like Reliance, JSW, ITC, and RP-Sanjiv Goenka expanding their investments, the state is on track to become one of India’s most competitive business destinations in the coming decade. These investments will not only contribute to the region’s economic growth but also help in the creation of thousands of jobs, bolstering West Bengal’s status as a key player in India’s industrial landscape.
