Food processing park to come up in Amtala

Kolkata, March 26 Investment in the food-processing sector in the state has nearly touched Rs 2,000 crore over the last few years, said state Commerce and Industry Minister Nirupam Sen. “The investment in the food processing sector in the state is the third largest, next to iron and steel and petrochemicals,” he added.

Sen was speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of a mega food-processing park at Amtala, South 24 Parganas. The food park, a joint venture of the Salarpuria Group, Eden City Group and West Bengal Infrastructure Development Corporation, will come up over 125 acres. The park will have cold storages, reefer vans, warehousing facilities and truck terminal apart from a Krishi Bazaar with marketing yards for agricultural products.

“Initial investment for the project is Rs 150 crore. This includes roads, power supply and distribution system, drainage and sewerage treatment plant and solid management system,” said Indrajit De, chairman of Eden City Group. “Another Rs 150 crore will be invested for building supporting infrastructure,” he added.

The project, expected to be operational within the next 4 years, has already received letter of intents from 15 vendors.

“We would like to have 50 to 80 vendors in the park,” said Rakesh Salarpuria, vice-chairman of the Salarpuria Group.