On 18 January 2008, West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) signed a joint venture development agreement with Bengal Aerotropolis Projects (BAPL) for setting up India's first aerotropolis (airport city) in the Durgapur-Asansol region of Bardhaman district, at an estimated investment of Rs.10,000 crore.

BAPL is a special purpose vehicle that has been set up to implement the Durgapur Aerotropolis project. The consortium includes Pragati 47 Development, Citystar Infrastructures, Land Lease Company (India) and Pragati Social Infrastructure & Development, (a joint venture of Housing & Urban Development Corporation).

The Durgapur Aerotropolis, to be spread over an area of 2,300 acres, will entail an investment of Rs.10,000 crore, will have an industrial park and will also house an IT park. It will also  have housing facilities for high, middle and low-income groups and social infrastructure such as hospitals, markets, theme parks, schools, community centres, etc.