Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari hints at setting up Ashok Leyland plant in Singur

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated on Thursday, 5 November 2026, that his government is in talks with multinational vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland to set up a plant in Singur. This move signals efforts to restart industrial activities at the site of the Tata Nano project, which was abandoned approximately 18 years ago. The Chief Minister explicitly said, “We will do something for Singur. Talks are underway with Ashok Leyland.”

Speaking to media persons at an event held in Kolkata for the unveiling of “The West Bengal Investment Promotion Policy, 2026”, the Chief Minister referred to past events. He stated that the Tata Group's withdrawal from Singur in October 2008 due to protests against land acquisition is considered a major blow to West Bengal's dreams of industrial revival. These protests were led by Mamata Banerjee, and after she came to power in 2011, the Trinamool Congress government returned the land to the farmers.

Mr. Adhikari had previously stated that the land in Singur is now owned by farmers and land will have to be re-acquired to set up any industry there. He assured that his government would not forcibly acquire land using police force like the Left Front government, nor would it adopt a passive approach like the Trinamool Congress government. The Chief Minister added, “We will purchase the land ourselves.” He is in talks with HUDCO, NABARD, and ADB for funds to purchase the land. He further mentioned that land has been allotted to companies in Panagarh and Haringhata.

The 34-page investment promotion policy announced by the state government makes no mention of land. According to government officials, a separate policy document will be prepared for land acquisition for industries. The Chief Minister stated that officials of the West Bengal government are studying the land policies of industry-rich states such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh for land purchase, pooling, and development.

In the last five months, his government has allotted land to 33 business groups, including Amul, Vedanta Group, Campa Cola, and Reliance, to set up new plants. Mr. Adhikari claimed that his government is capable of meeting the current demand for industrial plots worth approximately ₹1 lakh crore in the coming months.

Alongside this, the Chief Minister has sent a stern message to industries that have been allotted land by the state government but have not yet commenced work. He has told these industries to start new units within three months or return the land to the government at the price at which the land was acquired. In the last few weeks, several industry giants have met Mr. Adhikari and promised to start new industries in West Bengal or expand their operations on previously acquired land.

According to a report by The Hindu, all these announcements are part of the government's efforts to increase investment and strengthen the industrial infrastructure in the state.