Industry leaders hail West Bengal Budget’s push on infrastructure, land reform and health
Top industry leaders of West Bengal on Monday (June 22, 2026) welcomed the first budget of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state presented by Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta, lauding the government’s emphasis on industry, reassessing land ceiling, infrastructure and healthcare.
Mehul Mohanka, President of the Confederation of Industries of India Eastern Region, called it a “forward roadmap for infrastructure-led growth and industrial competitiveness” and added that litigation-free lands are critical for major investments.
“The emphasis on metro rail expansion, including work on new metro rail projects in Durgapur, Asansol and Siliguri, is a welcome step as improved urban mobility will support labor mobility, ease traffic congestion and strengthen productivity in key industrial hubs,” said Mr. Mohanka.
In his budget, Mr. Dasgupta proposed a deep-sea port on public-private basis at Dadanpatrabar in Purba Medinipur, a 1,000-1,500-acre greenfield airport near Kalyani and a feasibility study to ease congestion at Kolkata airport. Metro connections between Durgapur-Asansol and Siliguri-Jalpaiguri.
Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group, said what is particularly encouraging about this Budget is that it looks at growth as an ecosystem rather than the sum of individual initiatives.
“Investments in regional connectivity through new airports and infrastructure, focus on education and healthcare capacity, proposed industrial development initiatives and emphasis on job creation have the potential to expand economic activity well beyond the State’s traditional growth centres,” he said.
Taranjit Singh, President, ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India), Eastern Region, welcomed the first Budget of the new State government and appreciated its emphasis on creating a clear roadmap to accelerate economic growth through infrastructure development, improved revenue mobilization and improved public service delivery. “The Finance Minister’s articulation of the state’s development agenda in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat reflects a constructive approach to promoting inclusive and sustainable growth,” Mr. Singh said.
Priti A. Sureka, President, Chamber of Commerce, said the budget provides a prescription for all kinds of development by focusing on the holistic growth of West Bengal. Ms. Sureka highlighted the establishment of Tea workers development board, IT center and a semiconductor unit in Durgapur and the emphasis on electric vehicles and renewable energy.
Another decision that received the support of sector titles in the budget was the decision to re-examine the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Law dated 1976.
Mahesh Agarwal, Managing Director of Purti Realty, said the decision to review the Urban Land Ceiling Act (ULCA) framework is a positive development and a practical assessment of existing land regulations can enable more effective land use, help planned urban growth and improve the business environment.
“The emphasis on continued investment in city infrastructure, such as the proposed Chingrighata-New Town elevated corridor, is very encouraging. New Town has firmly positioned itself as a major business and residential hub in Eastern India and improved connectivity will strengthen its attractiveness for investment.”
The North Bengal focus in the budget was lauded by CII Eastern Region vice president Rudra Chatterjee, who said the budget also offers an opportunity to create a more sustainable value chain for the tea industry by encouraging more processing, packaging, branding and value addition closer to the gardens. Mr Chatterjee welcomed the announcement of offering an IIT and an IIM in the region
On the healthcare front, the Budget allocated ₹3,100 crore for Ayushman Bharat, expected to cover around seven crore people, and proposed an AIIMS and a cancer hospital in North Bengal, super specialty hospitals in the Sundarbans, Purulia and Darjeeling.
Rupak Barua, Chairman, CII West Bengal State Council and Managing Director and CEO, Woodlands Hospital, stated that the proposed allocation of ₹3,100 crore for Ayushman Bharat indicates a strong commitment to expand affordable healthcare coverage among vulnerable groups, including the elderly and frontline workers.
Namit Bajoria, managing director, Kutchina Home Makers Pvt. Ltd said demand from consumer-facing sectors such as kitchen solutions and home appliances is closely linked to urbanisation, housing growth and rising incomes, and the new government’s first Budget is particularly encouraging in its focus on industrial growth.
It was published – 23 June 2026 03:39 IST
