The Bengal government has decided to bring out special infrastructure projects worth Rs 14,000 crore, which were drawn up around four years ago, from the freezer as part of an attempt to create the right environment for industrialisation, which chief minister Mamata Banerjee mentioned as her priority in her third term in office.

“The chief secretary held a meeting recently and asked the departments, which were supposed to undertake the projects, to look for ways to arrange for funds for these projects. All the departments will explore possibilities of getting central funds for the projects or execute them by joining hands with private players,” said a senior government official.

Four years ago, the state government had plans to finance the significant part of the infrastructure investments. The decision to roll out the projects by exploring different models of financing is significant for two reasons, said a senior official.

“This will send a message that the state has not abandoned the infrastructure projects, which is vital for industrialisation.... Besides, the decision to explore different funding options indicates certain degrees of flexibility in the approach of the government, which is also a positive signal,” said the senior bureaucrat.

Although the projects were planned four years ago, the state government had to press a pause button on their execution as the rollout of a variety of social welfare schemes, which entailed huge spending, was the priority of Nabanna.

“While the government will remain committed to its welfare approach, there is a realisation that efforts need to be taken to give a push to economic activity in the state to address the problem of unemployment, especially of educated youths…. A variety of infrastructure projects will create the desired multiplier effect, resulting in higher economic growth, which will jack up demand for labour,” said a source.

The special infrastructure projects include 4-laning of Kalyani Expressway and Belghoria expressway, 4-laning of Calcutta-Basanti road, 6-lane elevated corridor between Tala and Dunlop over BT Road, and flyover at Maniktala crossing along the AJC Bose Road, flyover from Taratala to Tollygunj, flyover from Ganesh Chandra Avenue to MG Road, which are in Calcutta.

Similarly, the urban development and municipal affairs department has plans to undertake projects like flyover near Gariahat Road (South), ramp from Sealdah Flyover to Sealdah station, a flyover connecting College More and Sector V in Salt Lake and an elevated corridor from EM Bypass to New Town.

The PHE is also supposed to undertake several water supply projects for districts like Bankura, Jhargram and West Midnapore.

“The rollout of these projects can generate jobs... This is why the state has decided to focus on the special infrastructure projects and has given the departments the go ahead to explore financing options,” said another bureaucrat.