West Bengal is gradually transforming into one of India’s most prospective regions as far as manufacturing business opportunities are concerned. While Kolkata has always acted as the industrial spine of the state since time immemorial, shifting trends indicate that the focus now is on these emerging cities in West Bengal developing into new manufacturing and industrial hubs. But which is growing the fastest of them all in West Bengal? Let’s delve into the data and industrial landscape to find out what could be the most promising destination for manufacturing investors and entrepreneurs.
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Why Are Emerging Cities in West Bengal Attracting Manufacturers?
1. Government Support and Industrial Policies
The West Bengal State Government has declared some emerging cities in West Bengal fit for industrial development, with attractive incentives such as land at subsidised rates, tax exemptions, and easy credit access. Haldia, Asansol, and Durgapur are prime examples in this regard.
2. Connectivity and Logistics Infrastructure
Emerging cities in West Bengal are upgraded with logistic structures of international standard with the construction of new highways and railway lines and the upgrading of ports. Therefore, raw material procurement and finished goods foreign dispatch would be seamless for manufacturers.
3. Skilled Workforce and Industrial Ecosystem
The very large population of educated and skilled labour is a compelling reason for most manufacturers to find homes in such towns as Haldia and Durgapur. The other reason for this industrial ecosystem to be strong is the availability of the presence of important industrial clusters, training centres, and support services in these emerging cities in West Bengal.
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Haldia: The Top Performer Among Emerging Cities in West Bengal
Among all the emerging cities in West Bengal, Haldia is the palm of the fastest-growing town. Haldia, situated in Purba Medinipur district, is placed strategically near Kolkata and is viewed as a critical node in the state’s industrial economy and export-oriented economy.
Haldia with major port backed infrastructure, great road connectivity, and an increasing network of railways is an emerging town. Close proximity to the Bay of Bengal and Haldia Dock Complex makes it an important shipping and logistics centre, especially for petrochemicals, oil, and gas.
The West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) has played a key role in furthering Haldia through industrial parks set up for the promotion of small and medium enterprises. Consequently, the town has become one of the top emerging cities in West Bengal for large heavy industries, chemicals, polymers, and of late, in the field of manufacturing in renewable energy.
Asansol: A Rising Star in Manufacturing
Asansol is another strong candidate among the emerging cities in West Bengal. Originally solely dependent on the coal and steel industries, Asansol has now begun diversifying its base into light engineering, auto components, and fabrication units.
Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district is blessed with ample availability of natural resources, a railway junction, and strategic proximity to Jharkhand and Bihar. It has emerged as the choice for manufacturers seeking economical operations with easy access to raw materials.
The Asansol-Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA) is already venturing into the development of manufacturing enterprises by developing industrial estates and promoting business-friendly measures.
Durgapur: Industrial Heartland Turned Modern Manufacturing Hub
Durgapur, erstwhile a name linked predominantly with steel and power plants, is slowly attempting to carve out its position as one of the high-potential emerging cities in West Bengal. Now, it hosts a wide variety of manufacturing sectors, the other prominent being cement, chemical processing, electrical appliances, and even pharmaceuticals.
Many of these survey the industrial development along the Durgapur Expressway to Kolkata. Technical institutions like NIT Durgapur, with their attendant technical colleges. Ensure a steady supply of skilled engineers and workers for the local industries.
Durgapur Industrial Model Township (DIMT) promises to become the next big growth engine driving investment in technology-based and automated manufacturing sectors.
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Other Notable Emerging Cities in West Bengal for Manufacturing
1. Kharagpur
IIT Kharagpur being there, this place is growing into a hotspot for high-tech manufacturing and R&D-based industries. Availability of land with plus point support of talent pool.
2. Siliguri
Traditionally a hub for trade and tourism, Siliguri is gradually dawning upon itself as a close competitor to packaging, agro-processing. And light engineering industries due to its critical location near the Northeast states of India.
3. Malda
In the light of new road projects and promises of MSME-friendly policies. Malda is progressively positioning itself as the center of agro-based industries and textile manufacturing.
Challenges Faced by Emerging Cities in West Bengal
While growth is indeed a tale one would love to tell, there exist challenges to various emerging cities in West Bengal.
- Power Supply Challenges: Some of these towns face erratic supply of electricity which hinders manufacturing operations.
- Land Acquisition Woes: Even as the government has initiated steps to smoothen acquisition, land acquisition remains a cog in the wheel in some regions.
- Bureaucratic Delays: Procedural obstructions and permits hold back new projects in these cities sometimes, especially small- and medium-scale industries.
Nonetheless, under constant persuasion from the state government helped by the private sector. Various hurdles are now slowly seeing the light of day.
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Final Verdict: Haldia Leads the Pack
The fastest-growing manufacturing town in terms of infrastructure, industrial policy, investments, and sustenance of growth is certainly Haldia. Yet, Asansol, Durgapur, and Kharagpur are not far behind.
The timing couldn’t be better for entrepreneurs, investors, and manufacturers willing to explore the emerging cities of West Bengal. The renewed interest of the Government towards manufacturing really gives an opportunity to the industrial future of Bengal not only for Haldia but the rest of the state.
