256 acres allotted for defence manufacturing
The West Bengal government has allotted around 256 acres of land to Jupiter Defence for a large-scale integrated defence manufacturing facility at the Jangal Sundari Karmanagari Phase II Industrial Park in Raghunathpur, Purulia.
The project is expected to strengthen West Bengal’s efforts to attract major industrial investments while establishing a significant defence manufacturing base in the state.
The land allotment was announced on Wednesday at the ‘Allotment of Land for Industry’ programme organised by the Department of Industry, Commerce and Enterprises, Government of West Bengal, at Milan Mela Prangan in Kolkata.
First major defence manufacturing unit in state
The proposed facility is expected to become West Bengal’s first major defence manufacturing unit. Besides adding defence production capacity, the project is likely to generate employment and create opportunities for local businesses and ancillary industries.
Murari Lal Lohia, Chairman Emeritus of Jupiter Wagons Ltd, thanked the state government for its support, saying the land allotment reflected a renewed emphasis on industrial development in West Bengal.
Vivek Lohia, Managing Director of Jupiter Wagons Ltd, said the allotment demonstrated the government’s commitment to industrialisation and creating an investment-friendly environment.
“This allotment is a testament to the government’s commitment to industrialisation and to building an investment-friendly environment, and it reflects the remarkable transformation under way in West Bengal’s industrial landscape.”
Jupiter Wagons expands into defence
Jupiter Defence is part of the Jupiter Wagons group, which has been expanding beyond its traditional railway manufacturing operations into defence and other industrial sectors.
Lohia said the proposed project would contribute to India’s domestic defence capabilities while benefiting the wider industrial ecosystem in the region.
“We believe this project will strengthen India’s domestic defence capabilities while supporting the wider industrial ecosystem, local businesses and employment opportunities in the region.”
The project could also lead to the development of a broader network of suppliers and ancillary businesses around the proposed manufacturing facility.
Project aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat
The investment comes as India continues efforts to expand domestic defence production and reduce dependence on imports, with private-sector companies increasing their participation across the defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Lohia also acknowledged the support of the central government and said the project was aligned with the broader objective of strengthening India’s manufacturing and defence capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Purulia targets large industrial investments
The West Bengal government has been seeking to develop industrial parks outside Kolkata as manufacturing and investment hubs.
Purulia, in particular, has emerged as a location for large-scale industrial projects, with the Jupiter Defence facility adding a new defence manufacturing dimension to the district’s industrial development.
The proposed investment also marks a significant diversification for Jupiter Wagons and could help establish a new defence-focused industrial and supplier ecosystem in the region.
