Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Lahiri Urges Limited Farm Land Conversion to Revive Bengal Industry
Ashok Lahiri said Bengal needs more large areas of land to bring in big industries.
He suggested that a small amount of farmland might sometimes be changed into industrial land.
He said converting 1% to 2% of agricultural land could help the state’s economy grow.
Bengal has about 55.77 lakh hectares of cultivable land.
However, many landholdings are small.
The land is also used to grow crops frequently.
These factors make it difficult to acquire large areas for factories.
Lahiri said the Singur episode has also left a lasting impression on industry.
NITI Aayog vice-chairman Ashok Lahiri said large land tracts are needed to attract large-scale and heavy industries to Bengal.
Lahiri suggested considering limited conversion of multi-crop agricultural land for industrial use.
He said converting 1% to 2% of agricultural land could significantly boost Bengal’s economic development.
Bengal has about 55.77 lakh hectares of cultivable land, according to agriculture ministry data disclosed in Parliament.
Lahiri said small landholdings, high cropping intensity and the Singur episode have complicated industrial land acquisition in Bengal.
- Who
- Ashok Lahiri, vice-chairman of NITI Aayog, speaking at a Bengal Business Council session.
- What
- He called for greater land availability for large-scale and heavy industries and backed considering limited conversion of multi-crop farmland.
- When
- Saturday; the agriculture ministry data cited was disclosed in Parliament earlier this month.
- Where
- Bengal, at a Bengal Business Council session.
- Why
- Lahiri said land availability is a key bottleneck for attracting industry and that limited conversion could support economic development.
- Speaker
- Ashok Lahiri, NITI Aayog vice-chairman and former chief economic adviser
- Suggested conversion
- 1% to 2% of agricultural land
- Cultivable land
- About 55.77 lakh hectares in Bengal
- Target industries
- Large-scale and heavy industries
- Main obstacle
- Small landholdings and high cropping intensity
- Industry concern
- The Singur episode left a lasting impression on industry
- Setting
- A Bengal Business Council session