A new phase of industrial growth and employment generation is set to begin in West Bengal with the groundbreaking ceremony of a Rs 700-crore dairy project by Amul at Sakrail in Howrah, Howrah district.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the bhumipujan ceremony on Sunday, along with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP and BJP’s state president Samik Bhattacharya.
The project, being implemented under the cooperative model with support from the state government, is expected to strengthen the dairy sector and generate employment opportunities across rural and urban areas.
Addressing the gathering, Bhattacharya said the initiative signals a shift toward “genuine industrialisation” in the state. He expressed confidence that West Bengal would soon emerge as a major investment hub by leveraging its talent, fertile land and strategic location.
Welcoming Amul’s expansion, he added that more large organisations are likely to invest in the state in the coming years, helping realise the vision of a “Sonar Bangla”.
Adhikari, in his speech, highlighted the role of the cooperative movement in boosting rural economies. Referring to the growth of Amul, he noted that the organisation, which began with a small network, now collects around 9.5 lakh kg of milk daily in West Bengal through nearly 880 cooperative societies.
He said over 1.25 lakh farmers, including around 30,000 women, are associated with the dairy network. The new plant at Dhulagori is expected to further expand milk processing and support value-added products such as traditional mishti doi.
Officials said the project is likely to enhance procurement from local farmers and create jobs across multiple sectors, including processing, logistics, and retail.
During the event, a proposal was also placed for setting up two large-scale ice cream manufacturing plants in North and South Bengal to further boost the dairy industry. It was indicated that land could be made available for these units, which are expected to generate significant employment for skilled and unskilled workers, as well as for retailers and small vendors.
Authorities said the project would not only strengthen the dairy ecosystem but also contribute to increased economic activity and revenue generation in the state.
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