The West Bengal Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBIIDC) has launched an initiative to hand over unused plots in industrial estates to new companies that intend to set up different units.

“We are taking back unused plots or plots where factories were built but later closed down at the industrial estates. These plots, in turn, would be allocated to the companies that are seeking land to open commercial and industrial units,” said a WBIIDC official.

Recently, four such plots have been handed over — three vacant plots and a plot of a closed factory — to four new companies at the Raninagar industrial estate, located on the outskirts of Jalpaiguri.

The Raninagar industrial estate was established in 1984 spanning 148.3 acres, of which 122 acres were allocated to different companies to set up industrial units.

Plots were given to 27 companies, of which three were lying vacant as the companies never established units here. Additionally, units had been opened on two plots but were later shut down. "Four plots, including three vacant plots, have been reallocated to four new companies on lease,” the official added.

The reallocated plots include a 1.41-acre plot to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for setting up a refinery unit for LPG, a 2.6-acre plot to a PVC pipe manufacturer company, a 6-acre plot to a company that makes edible oil and a 0.25-acre plot to an enterprise that makes items for road maintenance and repair.

“There is another plot of around 10 acres where a commercial unit was built but shut down around 20 years back. We will also hand it over to a new company as the plan is to ensure that there are no unused plots in any of the industrial estates,” said the WBIIDC official.

Among the new companies, HPCL has already started its work at the site while others will initiate their work soon. “Once operational, these units are expected to create jobs for around 2,000 people,” he added.

Trade bodies based in Jalpaiguri have welcomed the initiative of WBIIDC.

“It is indeed good news that land has been handed over to four companies for setting up industrial units in Raninagar. We have always demanded that such land should be fully utilised. There are instances where people intending to invest are searching for plots while some others have left the plots unused. It seems WBIIDC has started addressing the issue,” said Kishor Marodia, general secretary of the North Bengal National Chamber of Commerce & Industries.