Adani Group To Invest Rs 1 Lakh Cr. In Bengal

The Adani Group is expected to pump in close to Rs one lakh crore in West Bengal by 2035 in such key segments as ports, power, logistics, transport and surface transport, bridges and hyperscale data centres.

“Three decades ago, I began my journey from Gujarat. This morning, while seeking blessings of Ma Kali at the Kalighat temple, I have expressed my keen desire to turn West Bengal as my second Karma Bhumi,” Adani Group chairman Mr Gautam Adani announced here on Thursday as part of his plans to aggressively expand the group’s footprints in the state.

“It (Bengal) is a place I want to build and belong; a land that gave birth to Vande Mataram, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore and Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose,” Mr Adani told the august gathering at New Town after laying the foundation of ‘Adani Arogya Mandir’, a 2000-bed state-of-the-art multi-specialty hospital over a 51.75-acre land at the Silicon Valley.

The hospital project, dubbed a fully integrated healthcare city by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, is likely to generate around 10,000 jobs immediately in the healthcare ecosystem of the state, he added.

According to him, the Group intends to invest at least Rs 4,000 crore over a period of three years in this hospital project which envisages, apart from dedicating 1000 beds for the economically weaker sections, a medical college, modern medical research facilities, state-of-the-art pathological laboratory and residential quarters for doctors and nurses besides guest houses for overseas patients.

Explaining the reasons driving the group’s big investment commitment in Bengal, Mr Adani stated that this eastern state ‘is an economic platform having tremendous potential due to its strategic geographical location which very few regions can match.’

On the one hand, the state is ‘the heart, gateway’ to the east and northeastern states while on the other, it offers a maritime trade route deep into the South East Asian countries through the Bay of Bengal.

“Possibilities galore and we’re committed to contributing to those possibilities,” Mr. Adani averred.

Kicking off three other projects that showcase the art and heritage of the city, he said the Group has expressed interest in restoring the fabled 270-year-old Writers' Buildings, with an estimated cost of around ₹100 crore. A team has already inspected the building and begun research into restoring its original British-era character.

In fact, fresh restoration proposals are likely to go deep into the challenge of balancing modern administrative needs with strict heritage conservation rules in the city.

Secondly, the Kumartuli Ghat redevelopment project estimated at around ₹10 crore, will be undertaken as part of the group's corporate social responsibility activities, in association with the Calcutta port.

The facelift aims to cover a 300-metre stretch between Kumartuli Ghat and Champatala Ghat. The plan includes heritage restoration, riverbank protection, improved walkways, river access, cultural spaces and public facilities. 

This apart, the group has decided to organize a special “Puja Preview Tour’ in the select eight Durga Puja pandals involving the ‘Whose Who’ of the overseas guests and leading persons of eminence during the three days of the festival.

Eight selected puja organisers will be receiving a one-time grant of Rs 25 lakh each to showcase the rich heritage and culture of the City of Joy.

Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari who also addressed the gathering, complimented Mr Adani, his wife and son Karan Adani for expediting the process of investment and conducting the ‘Bhumi Puja’ within such a short time.