According to state commerce and industries minister Nirupam Sen, no agricultural land will be acquired in Howrah. The government decided to get into the act after the Rs 2,000-crore project got delayed. According to Sen, touts had got involved in the matter and was giving the agency, involved in the land acquisition process, a hard time. Nearly 1,000 new jobs will be created when the park is completed, the minister added. Central funds will be utilised in the project.

At the same time, the cottage and small scale industry department is also planning a minifoundry park in Howrah. The Cabinet also cleared a change of name of this department on Thursday. It will now be known as the micro and small enterprises and textiles department, minister Manab Mukherjee told reporters. Medium industries will now come directly under the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation.

"There are a number of minifoundries around Howrah. All of these will come together to form a foundry park. We are also laying a lot of stress on textiles and readymade garments. But we have not been able to take full advantage of opening up of the economy. Neighbouring Bangladesh has taken full advantage," Mukherjee said.