DLF's Dankuni Township Project Faces Uncertainty
While Singur dominates headlines, another significant challenge is brewing for the West Bengal government just 20 km away. DLF, the real estate giant, has expressed its growing frustration with the proposed Dankuni township project and threatened to withdraw its involvement.
Land Acquisition and Progress at a Standstill
The company's discontent stems from the lack of progress on the project. Months have passed without any significant developments, and they are yet to receive ownership of the land. This has prompted DLF to consider pulling out of the massive ₹33,000 crore undertaking. State Urban Development Minister Asok Bhattacharya acknowledged DLF's mounting pressure on the government.
"The project is not making any headway, and DLF is telling us that they’ll pull out if the situation continues," he stated. He attributed the delays to the Hooghly district administration's preoccupation with the Singur issue, which has diverted attention and resources from other projects.
Local Opposition and Employment Concerns
Further complicating matters is the local opposition faced by the Dankuni project. Despite its potential to generate substantial employment opportunities within the state, progress remains stalled. "There’s also opposition to the Dankuni project at the local level. It would have generated huge employment in the state. We are still trying to convince DLF," Bhattacharya explained.
Project Details and Financial Implications
The Dankuni township is a significant real estate venture in India, spanning over 4,840 acres. It represents one of the country's largest public private partnership (PPP) projects, planned to be developed over ten years. DLF has already made an advance payment of ₹270 crore to the government, which holds the responsibility of acquiring and handing over the land.