Bengal taps into ‘concert economy' with new 25-acre tech-entertainment park in New Town

The Hindu

14-05-2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a slew of industrial initiatives in the State on Wednesday (May 14, 2025), including a new tech-entertainment park, following a cabinet meeting on the same day.
'The West Bengal government is set to develop a brand new information, technology, entertainment, and cultural park on 25 acres of land in New Town. Today we earmarked the plot of land and cleared it for the project. The subsequent steps, like releasing tenders, are underway,' the Chief Minister announced.
New Town is located on the outskirts of Kolkata and has emerged as a booming business district.
'Keep in mind, whether it is innovation, entertainment, creativity, cultural programmes or many other events, the concept of a concert economy is an innovative idea. We have the infrastructure here. 25 acres is a huge land area, and this will be of international standard. Here, we can host international-level cultural events. People from across the country will also come,' the Chief Minister said.
She added that the park has been named 'Biswa Angan' (courtyard of the world) in Bengali and 'IITEC' in English, which stands for 'international information, technology, entertainment, and culture'.
Ms. Banerjee further said the project is being developed under a public-private-partnership (PPP) model with the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO).
'We have cleared the land today, and this will be followed by a tendering process,' she said.
Marketplace for local artisans
On Tuesday, the Chief Minister also announced the development of new malls and large-scale marketplaces in 23 districts of the State, directed primarily towards the local artisans who are part of self-help groups (SHGs).
'We will build 23 shopping malls and big marketplaces in 23 districts. The government will give one acre of land for free. Private parties will undertake the construction. In exchange for the land, they will give two floors to the self-help groups for free,' Ms. Banerjee said.
She added that the two floors will be dedicated entirely to handmade goods made locally by the district's SHGs. 'This will ensure a market for the SHGs,' the Chief Minister said.
She also said that the government gave clearances for this project in 11 districts, namely Purulia, Darjeeling, Bankura, Coochbehar, Howrah, Jalpaiguri, Jhargram, Murshidabad, Paschim Midnapore, and Uttar Dinajpur.
'Since there is now the Jagannath Dham in Digha and many visitors would like to shop from there, we are also looking for a good plot of land so we can build a good marketplace there, in addition to the existing markets,' the Chief Minister said.
Other industrial projects
The Chief Minister also announced that ten industrial plots with a cumulative area of 2,515 acres in the State will be allocated to multiple major companies, especially in the steel industry.
'These projects will draw investments worth over ₹25,000 crores. More than 70,000 people will benefit from direct and indirect employment,' she said.
She added that on Tuesday, 15 industrial estates in the districts were allotted for the development of 43 micro and small-scale industries. She claimed that these would draw investments worth hundreds of crores and aid in job creation across the State.
'Bengal is leading in the MSME sector in the country… There is high demand for industrial growth in Bengal. We are conducting checks on lands and undertaking the necessary processes and clearances to move forward,' Ms. Banerjee said.