Sourav Ganguly’s Steel Plant to Start Production in 18-20 Months

Speaking at the news conference, Sourav Ganguly noted that his inauguration for the steel plant in West Bengal was a transit to the industrial sector. The only envisaged project in Paschim Medinipur is located in Garbeta, expected to be operational in 18-20 months, investing ₹2,500 crore.

Ganguly, while addressing an event, said that there is a lot of excitement regarding the project but stated that big industrial projects take time. “We’re building the steel plant, and it’s assumed that it’ll be up and running in two months. That’s not how things work. Hopefully, we will start operation in the next 18-20 months,” he said.

In collaboration with TMT bar manufacturer Captain Steel, the project will set up a greenfield steel plant with an annual production capacity of 0.8 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). For Captain Steel, which operates two units with a total capacity of 5 lakh tonnes, this will be the third and largest plant. When finished, the new plant will bring the company’s overall capacity to 1.3 million tonnes.

The project was first planned in Salboni but was moved to Garbeta around 26 km away after land was acquired there. The thermoplastic plant would need roughly 350 acres, and the process to acquire that land is already being pursued. The change of location from Salboni was necessitated after JSW Group had scrapped its earlier plan to set up a mega steel plant there following difficulties in sourcing raw materials.

Although the full extent of Ganguly’s financial investment in the project has not been disclosed, officials say it is “substantial”. The project is currently pending a bunch of necessary approvals such as environmental and pollution clearances, which are very crucial for the project to take shape.

Ganguly’s industrial ambitions were first disclosed during the visit of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to Spain in 2023. Referring to the former cricketer’s step into the steel business, Banerjee quipped recently that he is gradually transforming into an industrialist.

And if this project goes ahead, it will also be the first time since his retirement that he has transformed himself, from a cricketing legend to a key player in the business world.