West Bengal is preparing to introduce a new industrial policy aimed at attracting investment while avoiding forcible acquisition of farmers’ land. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said the government will help industries obtain land through a Direct Land Purchase Policy.
The proposed approach seeks to address one of Bengal’s most sensitive political and economic issues: industrial land. The state government wants to attract large investments and create jobs. At the same time, it wants to avoid the land conflicts that marked the state’s past industrialisation efforts.
Adhikari has repeatedly said that his government does not want another Singur or Nandigram. Instead, the government plans to purchase land directly and then make it available to industries.
Bengal Plans New Industrial Policy
The West Bengal government is working on a new industrial policy that will focus on investment, land availability and faster approvals.
Industry and Commerce Minister Tapas Roy said the government was finalising the policy in July. He said the framework would include a streamlined single-window clearance system, GIS-enabled land banks, investment incentives and cluster-based industrial development. (m.economictimes.com)
The government wants to position Bengal as a more attractive destination for manufacturers and investors. Officials have also discussed strengthening logistics and reducing the number of approvals required for industrial projects.
The policy forms part of a wider attempt to revive manufacturing in the state and create more employment opportunities.
Government Will Avoid Forcible Land Acquisition
Land acquisition remains central to the government’s proposed industrial strategy.
Adhikari has made it clear that the state will not forcibly take farmers’ land for private industrial projects. Instead, the government will purchase land through its proposed direct purchase mechanism.
The Chief Minister said investors would not have to struggle to find suitable land. If an industry needs land, the government will procure it under the Direct Land Purchase Policy and make it available for the project.
He also said the government had used similar mechanisms to make land available for organisations such as the Border Security Force, the Railways, highways and a new airport. (indianexpress.com)
Singur and Nandigram Shape the Policy
The government’s emphasis on consent reflects Bengal’s political history.
The land movements in Singur and Nandigram played a major role in the state’s political landscape. Farmers and local residents opposed land acquisition for industrial and infrastructure projects, while political groups used the protests to challenge the then Left Front government.
The Singur controversy centred on the acquisition of farmland for a Tata Motors small-car factory. The Nandigram protests followed plans for a proposed chemical hub.
These events continue to influence discussions about industrialisation in Bengal.
Adhikari has therefore stressed that his government wants to attract industry without repeating the conflicts associated with those episodes. He has said Bengal needs industrial growth but should protect farmers’ interests at the same time. (indianexpress.com)
Land Availability Remains a Major Challenge
The government sees land availability as one of the biggest barriers to industrial investment.
Existing government land banks may not always contain plots large or suitable enough for major projects. Industries often require contiguous land with access to roads, electricity, water and other infrastructure.
Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta has also described land as a critical issue for industrial growth. He said the government was prepared to acquire land on behalf of industries and infrastructure projects, even though such efforts could face political resistance. (theprint.in)
The direct purchase approach announced by the Chief Minister seeks to address this challenge while avoiding compulsory acquisition from unwilling landowners.
Direct Purchase Could Help Investors
Under the proposed approach, the government would play a more active role in securing land for industrial projects.
This could make the process easier for investors. Companies would not have to negotiate with multiple landowners on their own for large projects.
The government could identify suitable plots, negotiate purchases and then provide the land to industries.
Such a system could also give investors greater certainty about project timelines. Land disputes often delay major industrial projects. A more organised purchase mechanism could reduce that uncertainty.
However, the success of the policy will depend on transparent negotiations and fair compensation for landowners.
New Policy Targets Faster Approvals
Land is not the only issue the government wants to address.
The proposed industrial policy will also introduce a single-window clearance system for major investment proposals. Adhikari has said projects involving investments of ₹100 crore and above will receive approvals through a streamlined mechanism.
The system aims to reduce bureaucratic delays. Investors often need clearances from several departments and local bodies before starting construction.
Under the proposed system, the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation will play a key role in facilitating approvals for eligible projects. (indianexpress.com)
Faster approvals could make Bengal more competitive with other industrial states.
Government Reviews Unused Industrial Land
The government is also examining land that companies received under earlier arrangements.
Officials have begun reviewing leasehold land allotted to private companies during the previous government. The review will determine whether companies actually used the land for the projects for which authorities granted it.
If companies have left plots unused for long periods, the government may consider cancelling leases and reallocating the land for productive industrial purposes. Officials may also set deadlines for companies that have only partly developed their allotted plots. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
This approach could help the state make better use of land that already has industrial potential.
Bengal Wants More Investment and Jobs
The new policy has a wider economic objective. The government wants to attract industries that can create jobs and increase economic activity.
Bengal has a large workforce and established industrial centres. However, the state has also faced criticism over its ability to attract large manufacturing projects.
The new administration wants to change that perception.
Officials have discussed opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, information technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and logistics. The government hopes that better land availability and faster approvals will encourage companies to invest.
The state has also indicated that it wants to position Bengal as a leading industrial destination by 2027. (m.economictimes.com)
Farmers’ Interests Remain Important
While the government wants rapid industrialisation, the land policy must also protect farmers.
Direct purchase means landowners can negotiate before selling their property. This differs from compulsory acquisition, where authorities can acquire land under statutory powers subject to applicable legal safeguards.
West Bengal has previously followed a policy of avoiding forcible acquisition for private industry and relying on consent-based land purchases. The state’s policy documents have also emphasised mutually agreed compensation and transparent processes. (finance.wb.gov.in)
The new government’s proposed framework builds on this principle while seeking to make the process more useful for investors.
A New Industrial Direction for Bengal
West Bengal’s proposed industrial policy 2026 marks an attempt to balance two competing priorities: protecting farmers’ land rights and attracting industrial investment.
The government wants to ensure that land does not become an obstacle for companies planning major projects. At the same time, it wants to avoid the social and political conflicts that surrounded Singur and Nandigram.
The Direct Land Purchase Policy could provide a middle path. The government can help industries secure suitable land while allowing landowners to make informed decisions about selling their property.
The proposed single-window clearance system could further reduce delays and improve the state’s business environment.
For Bengal, the challenge now lies in implementation. The government will need to ensure fair negotiations, transparent land transactions and timely approvals. If it succeeds, the new policy could help attract investment, create jobs and strengthen the state’s industrial base without repeating the land conflicts of its past.