Mamata to lay foundation of Jindal power plant at Salboni on 21st April

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday addressed the criticism that the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) yields no tangible outcomes. In a strong rebuttal, she announced the foundation-laying ceremony of a ₹16,000 crore Jindal Group power plant in Salboni on April 21.

Speaking about the state’s remarkable growth in the power sector, Mamata revealed that in 2011, there were just over 1 crore electricity consumers in the state, a number which has more than doubled to 2.3 crore in 2025. “This proves that development is happening. Earlier, people lived without electricity for 12 hours—now the situation has changed completely,” she said.

The Jindal Group will set up two power plants with a combined capacity of 1500 MW. “As more power projects come up, electricity prices may drop. The more we invest in power, the more benefits reach the people,” Mamata asserted. She also emphasized that Bengal is not only focusing on thermal power but is making strong strides in renewable energy. On April 22, the Chief Minister will inaugurate a 112.5 MW solar power plant in Garbeta, built with a ₹457 crore investment from a German company.

“In Bakreswar and Durgapur, new WPDs (Wind Power Developments) and power plants are also in the pipeline. Bengal is becoming a hub for diversified energy projects,” Mamata stated, showcasing a broad vision for the state's energy independence. Alongside energy projects, the Chief Minister will also inaugurate 25 new fire brigade vehicles in Medinipur and a new fire station in Katwa—part of a push to strengthen disaster and emergency response infrastructure in the state.