BSNL to Auction Prime 11-Acre Land Parcel in Kolkata December 4, 2025 In a strategic move to monetize non-core assets, Indian state-owned telecommunications provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is preparing to auction a significant land parcel in Kolkata. The sale is part of a broader trend among telecom operators globally who are unlocking capital from legacy real estate to fund network modernization and expansion efforts. According to local press reports, BSNL plans to sell an 11-acre site located along Jessore Road in the Madhyamgram area of West Bengal. The auction is expected to be conducted within the next two to three months. The land, which previously housed BSNL staff quarters and the Madhyamgram Telephone Exchange, is reportedly valued at approximately Rs 179 crore ($19.9 million), with expectations that the final price could reach up to Rs 250 crore ($27.8 million). A senior BSNL official highlighted the site's potential, stating, "We believe that the auction of the Madhyamgram land will break that record. Firstly, the land parcel is significantly larger than the Kankurgachi parcel, and secondly, it is located on Jessore Road, adjacent to Star Mall, near the Kolkata airport. The land is rectangular, ideal for any large real estate project." The official was referring to a previous sale where BSNL sold a 2.7-acre plot in North Kolkata's Kankurgachi locality for Rs 131 crore ($14.5 million). Founded in 2000, BSNL is India's fourth-largest mobile operator and operates nine data centers across the country. The company is currently in the midst of a significant 4G network rollout, having deployed 25,000 towers across several regions. The capital generated from this and similar asset sales is seen as crucial for funding its competitive network infrastructure upgrades and operational requirements in a rapidly evolving market. Source: datacenterdynamics
