Brighter Bengal: New 1600 MW Power Project Approved in Salboni

The West Bengal Cabinet has approved the development of two 800 MW supercritical thermal power plants in Salboni, Jhargram, with an investment of over Rs 10,000 crore. The project will be implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) model to strengthen the state’s power infrastructure and meet rising demand.

Announcing the decision, State Power Minister Aroop Biswas noted that JSW Group is already building two similar units in the Salboni area. In addition, construction is ongoing at the 660 MW Sagardighi supercritical plant as part of the state’s broader strategy to ensure uninterrupted power supply for both industrial and residential consumers.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, speaking at the inauguration of the 1600 MW Salboni plant, emphasized West Bengal’s transition to a 24x7 power-supplied state—a stark contrast to the load-shedding issues experienced in the past.

Since 2011, the state has invested approximately Rs 76,000 crore in power generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, with an additional Rs 48,000 crore in the pipeline. Key achievements include the establishment of 3.5 lakh kilometers of power lines and 750 substations. Notably, Rs 3,700 crore has been invested in West Midnapore district alone.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.