ET reported that the Vedanta Group has decided to start work on its INR 12,000 crore aluminum project in West Bengal, one of the first major investments in the non ferrous metals sector in the state.

The project, which is proposed to come up at Bidhanbag in the state’s industrial town of Asansol includes a 3,000 MW power plant and a 6.5 million tonne smelter in two phases. The report added that Vedanta’s foray into West Bengal will be through a now defunct unit of Aluminum Corporation of India set up in 1952 at Asansol. The project is due to be completed within 3 year period.

Mr Sandeep Agrawal, who has been entrusted with responsibility for Vedanta’s West Bengal project said that “We are in the process of developing the land in the area. We already have around 280 acres in our possession to begin with.”

As per report, the group has taken a soft approach to build up a presence in the state, perhaps, taking a cue from the recent incidents faced by some corporate groups across the country. Most of the initiatives being taken up by the company relate to social care projects in the areas like education, sports and healthcare. The group is also carrying out program to create an awareness among the local people about the project that includes. This is in line with the group strategy to take up similar projects in states like Orissa, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu where it has units.

(Sourced from Economic Times)