West Bengal Moves Ahead with PPP Shopping Malls to Boost SHG Products
The West Bengal government has advanced its plan to develop large shopping complexes in districts across the state through a public–private partnership (PPP) model, aiming to create dedicated marketing spaces for products made by self-help groups (SHGs) and small enterprises. Officials say 10 mall projects have now reached an advanced stage, marking a key step in a scheme first announced in late 2023 to strengthen rural livelihoods and improve market access for locally made goods.
The initiative combines commercial real estate development with social and economic objectives. By integrating retail, entertainment, and community facilities with spaces reserved for grassroots producers, the government intends to connect SHGs and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) more directly with urban consumers.
Project Status Across Districts
According to officials familiar with the programme, all approvals have been secured for 10 district-level projects. Of these, three are currently in the tendering phase, where private developers are being selected. For the remaining seven, foundation stones have already been laid, indicating that on-ground development is expected to move forward once construction processes begin.
The identified locations include West Midnapore, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Raiganj in North Dinajpur, Malda, Berhampore in Murshidabad, Bishnupur in Bankura, Uluberia in Howrah, Digha in East Midnapore, and Bishnupur in South 24 Parganas. These sites are primarily district headquarters or major urban centres, which officials believe can attract sufficient footfall to make the model commercially viable.
In the other districts, land parcels have already been earmarked for similar developments. Administrative inspections and procedural formalities are ongoing, and in some cases district authorities have been asked to identify alternative plots to meet project requirements. The government’s broader goal is to eventually have at least one such mall in every district.
How the PPP Model Will Work
Under the framework, the state is providing around one acre of land in each district headquarters without charging land costs, while private partners will finance, construct, and manage the complexes. These malls are expected to include standard commercial features such as retail stores, food courts or restaurants, cinema halls, underground parking, and community spaces that can host events or exhibitions.
However, the projects come with a clear social mandate. The government has stipulated that two floors in each mall must be set aside exclusively for SHGs to sell their products. This condition is central to the scheme, ensuring that commercial viability for developers is linked with guaranteed space for small producers.
Officials say this approach is intended to provide a stable, year-round marketplace for SHGs, which currently rely heavily on seasonal fairs and temporary exhibitions to sell their goods.
Supporting Rural Producers and Small Enterprises
SHGs in West Bengal are active in sectors such as handicrafts, textiles, food processing, and household products. Data from the state’s Panchayat and Rural Development Department indicates that SHGs earned around ₹100 crore in the 2024–25 financial year through participation in fairs and by supplying items to government departments. A large share of these earnings came from events organised by different state agencies within and outside West Bengal.
Officials believe permanent retail spaces in district malls could help SHGs diversify their customer base and achieve more consistent income. A senior official at the state secretariat said that purpose-built infrastructure would “further enhance the earning potential” of SHGs by giving them greater visibility and easier access to consumers.
The move also aligns with broader efforts to promote local manufacturing and value addition at the grassroots level. By linking SHGs and MSMEs with modern retail environments, the state aims to reduce dependence on intermediaries and improve profit margins for producers.
Economic and Urban Development Dimensions
Beyond supporting rural livelihoods, the mall projects are expected to contribute to district-level urban development. Construction activity can generate local employment, while operational malls may create jobs in retail, maintenance, security, and hospitality. The inclusion of entertainment facilities and community halls could also make these complexes hubs of social and commercial activity.
Urban planners note that such projects can reshape commercial patterns in district towns, provided traffic management, infrastructure, and local business interests are carefully considered. The PPP model shifts financial risk to private developers while allowing the government to pursue social objectives through land policy and project conditions.
Looking Ahead
As tenders are processed and construction timelines become clearer, the coming months will indicate how quickly the first batch of malls progresses from planning to operation. The success of the model will likely depend on how effectively SHGs are integrated into the retail ecosystem and how attractive the locations prove to private partners and consumers.
If implemented as intended, the initiative could offer a new pathway for linking rural producers with formal markets while contributing to district-level economic growth. The programme represents an attempt to combine infrastructure development with inclusive economic policy, and its long-term impact will become clearer as the projects take shape across West Bengal.
