NewsStocksWest Bengal Accelerates ₹30,000-Crore Silicon Valley Project with Focus on AI and Data CentresWest Bengal Accelerates ₹30,000-Crore Silicon Valley Project with Focus on AI and Data Centres
West Bengal's ₹30,000-crore silicon valley project is progressing rapidly with 41 companies allocated land and construction advancing at pace. The 250-acre project focuses on AI, data centres, and global capability centres, expected to create 7,500+ jobs. The state ranks sixth in India for data centre capacity and has grown software exports from ₹8,000 crore to ₹40,000+ crore over 15 years.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
West Bengal's IT sector is set for significant expansion as the state's flagship silicon valley project attracts substantial investment and progresses at an accelerated pace. IT Secretary Shubhanjan Das announced that the ambitious initiative has lined up investments of around ₹30,000 crore, with a strategic focus on artificial intelligence, data centres, and global capability centres.
Silicon Valley Project Progress
The 250-acre silicon valley project is advancing at a "fantastic pace" according to Das, who addressed an ASSOCHAM-STPI event. Physical inspections reveal that construction is moving rapidly across the allocated sites.
| Project Parameter: | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Investment: | ₹30,000 crore |
| Project Area: | 250 acres |
| Companies Allotted Land: | 41 |
| Expected Job Creation: | 7,500+ positions |
Das emphasized that this project represents a key pillar of the state's long-term digital roadmap, positioning West Bengal as a major technology hub in eastern India.
State's IT Infrastructure Expansion
West Bengal's technology footprint has expanded significantly beyond Kolkata to include centres in Siliguri and Durgapur. The state currently maintains an extensive IT infrastructure network that supports a thriving technology ecosystem.
| Infrastructure Type: | Count |
|---|---|
| Government IT Parks: | 32 |
| Private IT Parks: | 60+ |
| IT Companies Housed: | 2,800+ |
| Total Employment: | 2+ lakh people |
Data Centre Capabilities and AI Infrastructure
West Bengal has achieved significant recognition in India's data centre landscape, ranking sixth nationally in terms of capacity. The state operates 11 private data centres, demonstrating its growing capabilities in advanced computing infrastructure.
The state-run Siliguri data centre features high-end infrastructure including 40 H100 Nvidia GPU chips and around 40 L100 chips. In a notable development, the state government is finalizing a proposal to allow private companies access to this infrastructure for AI training and model building, fostering innovation and collaboration in the artificial intelligence sector.
Export Growth and Economic Impact
The state has witnessed remarkable growth in software exports over the past decade and a half. Software shipments have demonstrated "phenomenal" growth, rising from approximately ₹8,000 crore about 15 years ago to over ₹40,000 crore currently.
| Export Timeline: | Value |
|---|---|
| 15 Years Ago: | ₹8,000 crore |
| Current Level: | ₹40,000+ crore |
Industry Recognition and Future Outlook
At the ASSOCHAM-STPI event, STPI Kolkata honored leading software exporting companies across various categories, including firms with exports above ₹5 crore. Tata Consultancy Services received the IT Ratna award for achieving the highest software exports from West Bengal, with the company employing approximately 54,000-55,000 people in the state.
Sushil Mohta, chairman of World Trade Center Salt Lake, highlighted Bengal's emergence as a strong destination for global capability centres, citing the state's academic institutions, deep talent pool, and improving infrastructure. The IT department has committed to acting as a single-window facilitator to resolve inter-departmental issues and ensure faster project execution for expansion proposals.
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