Will build industries, but not at cost of agriculture: CM assures Singur
Times of India | 29 January 2026
Singur/Kolkata: Agriculture and industrialisation will happen together, said CM Mamata Banerjee in Singur on Wednesday, close to two decades after her movement in the region brought in colours of change to the Bengal political spectrum. "Industrialisation will happen, but not at the cost of agriculture," said Banerjee at the inauguration and foundation stone-laying for multiple development projects in Singur.
Without naming PM Narendra Modi, Banerjee said she had delivered on her promises instead of making "false assurances from a teleprompter". The CM's address came just over two weeks after the PM spoke to a rally in Singur.
Telling the crowd that people who had lost land in Singur still received monthly financial assistance, the CM announced development projects in the vicinity of the abandoned Tata Motors factory site and said that these initiatives would generate employment for thousands of local youths. "We have built an agro-industrial park over 8 acres of land in Singur, spending Rs 9.2 crore. We have commissioned a private industrial park where Amazon and Flipkart will set up warehouses and generate employment for thousands," Banerjee said.
"People make promises but don't keep them. If I make a promise, I keep it at any cost. I don't indulge in ‘jumlas' like the double-engine govt," she added.
Reminding Singur residents of her "close connection" with them, Banerjee said: "Singur is my favourite place. From 2006 to 2008, I spent time here. I stayed on the streets. The people of Singur fed those who protested. I was on hunger strike for 26 days. From Tapasi Malik to every other person who fought... I express my gratitude. You are our inspiration. On the other hand, you (BJP) stopped all our developmental funds. In Singur, you read out fake promises from a teleprompter. They come with Bengali words written in Devanagari to show love for Bengal. I don't see or read from any document. For four years, they have not given funds for housing scheme, road scheme, 100-days' work, water scheme and education scheme. They are looting the treasury and destroying the country."
Those who lynch the people of Bengal should not expect to be voted to office, the CM said, adding that she thrived when she was attacked.
The CM also opened the new phase of Banglar Bari scheme and the Ghatal Master Plan. "To benefit farmers under the second phase of the Banglar Bari scheme, Rs 24,180 crore is being allocated today," the CM said, adding, "For the Ghatal Master Plan, Rs 1,500 crore has been allocated. Of the Rs 500 crore that was already given, work worth Rs 300 crore has been completed."