States » EastPosted at: Oct 29 2026 4:58PM


State UDMA dept signs MoUs to set up bio-gas plants, beautification projects, parking lots across WB

Kolkata, Oct 29 (UNI) West Bengal is set to attract an initial Rs 3,000-crore investment in solid-waste management and Compressed Biogas (CBG) projects, while a separate urban renewal initiative will target Kolkata's streets, public spaces and parking infrastructure, under a series of agreements signed with the state government on Thursday.
Noida-based Skymax Infra Power Limited will invest around Rs 3,000 crore in waste-management facilities and CBG plants, with the project expected to generate 1,500-2,000 jobs, while North India Technical Consultancy Organisation Limited (NITCON) will undertake consultancy and project-development work for city beautification, urban renewal and Multi-Level Car Parking (MLCP) facilities.
The memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed with the state government's Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department (UDMA) at Nagarayan in Salt Lake, the department's headquarters, at a meeting presided over by UDMA Minister Agnimitra Paul.
The Skymax project will initially focus on Kolkata and adjoining areas, with the company providing the required funding and technology. Its first phase is expected to be implemented within 1.5 to two years, Chairman and Managing Director Arjun Rawat said.
“We will invest Rs 3,000 crore in the state. This investment will also generate employment for around 1,500 to 2,000 people,” Rawat said.
He said the company's overall investment potential in West Bengal could eventually rise to Rs 6,000-7,000 crore, including foreign direct investment (FDI) and subsequent phases.
“Here in West Bengal, there is a significant amount of waste that accumulates in different areas. This creates health problems and causes inconvenience to people. Our plan is to segregate the waste and establish plants to convert the appropriate waste into Compressed Biogas,” Rawat said.
He said Skymax had previously signed MoUs involving investments of around Rs 11,000 crore with Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, where work was progressing.
The NITCON agreements will cover Kolkata's beautification and urban renewal, as well as the development of MLCP facilities aimed at easing traffic congestion and addressing parking shortages.
The beautification and urban renewal exercise will begin with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) areas, Paul said.
The exercise will cover major roads, medians, parks, lakes, heritage areas and other urban spaces, while seeking to preserve Kolkata's character and improve functionality.
“Beautification does not mean only improving the exterior. The city has to be cleaned from within as well. If solid-waste management is not addressed, how can we make a city beautiful?” Paul said.
She said removing the maze of hanging telecommunications cables would also form part of the exercise. Much of Kolkata's electricity network had already been moved underground, while similar work was under way at several locations through the Power Department, she said.
“During a field survey in Jadavpur, I saw cables hanging and dangling from above. We want to ensure that people do not have to see this kind of mess,” Paul said.
The projects will follow a coordinated design approach, with symmetry and cost optimisation being key considerations, she said.
“There has to be symmetry in the design, along with cost optimisation. We will not simply change everything that already exists. First, we will assess what is there and then streamline it so that it serves pedestrians, motor vehicles and other users better,” Paul said.
NITCON Managing Director Satvinder Singh said the union government company, established in 1984, operates across 15 states and provides consultancy, transaction advisory, project management, digital governance, IT and infrastructure services.
Singh said NITCON had recently opened an office in Siliguri and was implementing a Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) project involving 5,000 flats there. The organisation was also planning 12 automotive testing centres in West Bengal under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, he said.
On the parking initiative, Singh said NITCON would first conduct a comprehensive survey to identify feasible sites before determining the number of facilities and investment requirements.
“First, we will look at what is already available and streamline it so that it facilitates pedestrians, motor vehicles and other activities. We will work on the basis of cost optimisation,” he said.
Paul said the number of parking facilities and the timeline for individual beautification projects would depend on surveys, land availability and assessment of existing assets.
“Whether we develop five parking facilities or 10 will depend on the availability of land. It is a long process, but the process has now begun,” she said.
UNI SEN RSA
Tags: #State UDMA dept signs MoUs to set up bio-gas plants# beautification projects# parking lots across WB
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