The West Bengal Cabinet has given the green light to a 660-megawatt supercritical power plant at Sagardighi, Murshidabad, marking a major step toward boosting the state’s electricity supply. Along with this, five more power plants have been approved, setting the stage for significant energy infrastructure growth.
Power Minister Arup Biswas announced the new 660 MW supercritical power plant, which will be the first of its kind in eastern India. Notably, even the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) lack such a plant.
“The Sagardighi power plant is 95% complete and features state-of-the-art machinery. It will require less coal to produce more electricity, making it highly efficient,” Biswas shared after the Cabinet meeting. The plant is expected to be operational by March next year.
In addition to the Sagardighi plant, the Cabinet approved plans for five new power facilities, including a 1,600 MW power plant. A global tender will be issued for the project, which will be developed on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model—a first for the state. “We are not taking a single penny from anyone. The location of the 1,600 MW plant will be decided by the concerned company,” Biswas added.
The West Bengal government currently operates power plants at Sagardighi, Bakreswar, Kolaghat, Bandel, and Durgapur, with more developments planned.
The Cabinet also approved the conversion of 32.43 acres of long-term settlement land and 40.17 acres of vested land in Paschim Bardhaman into freehold for Shyam Steel and Power Limited, allowing for the establishment of a new steel and power plant in the area.
During the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged ministers to prioritize flood relief efforts in northern Bengal over the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations. Parts of Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Malda are currently affected by floods, with efforts underway to ensure proper relief measures.
Water released from Bihar’s dams has worsened the situation in districts such as Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, and Murshidabad, prompting the state government to issue an alert for these areas.
With new power initiatives and an active focus on disaster management, West Bengal is gearing up for a period of growth and resilience.
