Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee government has plans to explore the option of underground mining at Deocha Pachami, one of the largest coal block in the world, as West Bengal has got allocation for coal mining in Birbhum.
“I am very happy to share with all of you that after a long wait of 3 years, West Bengal has got the allocation of the Deocha Pachami Harinsingha Dewanganj Coal Mines in Birbhum district. With an estimated reserve of 2102 million tonnes, it is the 2nd largest coal mine in the world,” the chief minister wrote on Facebook On Friday,
“The mining project has huge potential of generating nearly a lakh of direct and indirect employment opportunities in Birbhum and neighbouring districts. It will also involve investments worth Rs 12,000 crores in the intermediate run,” she added.
Ms Banerjee added, “All together, there will be huge socio economic development of Birbhum, the neighbouring districts and the entire state. Necessary administrative infrastructure has already been set up to start the project immediately. My best wishes to all.”
Addressing a programme by the Merchants Chamber of Commerce and Industry on “East India Energy Forum” state power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay explained, “There is a stone block above the coal seams. I recently visited Poland to see the technical know-how about how to excavate coal beneath the stone block.”
“Poland has the technical expertise. If open cast mining at the block is not possible, we have to go for underground mining. But the project is at the initial stage. It has been allocated to us as other states were not eager to continue,” he said.
Mr Chattopdhyay informed that his department would complete underground cabling in 75 towns in the state by 2025 to reduce transmission losses and improve quality power.
According to him, around Rs 15,000 crores would be invested in various projects of power in the state in future.
He however acknowledged that non-availability of large land parcels has posed a challenge for large solar projects in the state. On the solar energy the power minister predicted that the solar-installed capacity would be up to 200 megawatt within 2019 from 70 megawatt at present.
