BSNL's Prime Kolkata Telecom Factory Listed for Sale.

The government has initiated the process to monetize Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited's (BSNL) telecom factory in Alipore, Kolkata, including a heritage building situated in a prime location opposite the iconic Kolkata Race Course. This marks the third attempt by BSNL to monetize its assets, following two unsuccessful efforts in Barrackpore and Madhyamgram.

According to a notice on the National Land Monetization Corporation Limited (NLMC) website, the process involves appointing International Property Consultants (IPCs) to monetize BSNL's non-core assets, including land and buildings.

The Alipore factory spans a total area of 52,178 square meters, of which 10,014 square meters comprise heritage structures. Originally constructed in 1947, the site features administrative, engineering, and plant buildings, as well as a security rest room. Additional structures like the sub-station and boundary wall were built in 1982. The property, built with load-bearing brick masonry, is a freehold asset.

The location's proximity to landmarks such as the Victoria Memorial further enhances its value. However, the heritage status imposes specific obligations. “Heritage laws will need to be followed, and the heritage structure must be preserved,” a senior BSNL official told BusinessLine.

The Alipore factory, once a hub for manufacturing telecom equipment like handsets and boxes, now primarily produces PLB pipes used in optical fiber cable (OFC) installations. This operation will be shifted to BSNL’s Kharagpur unit, the company’s largest facility in West Bengal. The Gopalpur factory has already been closed, and the Alipore factory will cease operations once a bidder is finalized.

Efforts to monetize BSNL’s assets in Kolkata and its suburbs have faced challenges. Previous attempts to sell properties in Barrackpore and Madhyamgram failed due to a lack of bidders, despite multiple rounds of the process.

BSNL’s focus now remains on consolidating operations at the Kharagpur unit while continuing efforts to monetize its valuable non-core assets.

HBL