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November 26, 2014

Bengal will surge ahead on the path of development: WB CM at Haldia

Bengal will surge ahead on the path of development: WB CM at Haldia
A 600 MW, coal-based Haldia Thermal power plant of Haldia Energy Limited (HEL) was inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamta Banerjee today.
About the plant
The power plant is hailed as the Bengal’s largest industrial investment of recent times. Spread over an area of 317 acres, the power plant has the second tallest transmission tower in the world. At a towering height of 236 m, the transmission tower is next only to the one located at Mount Damaoshan, Zhejiang province, China.
Haldia Energy Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) Ltd, has entered into Boiler Turbine Generator contract with Shanghai Electric Co. from China and Punj Lloyd Ltd received the contract for the balance of the plant package.
Unit 1 of the power plant will on online in December while Unit 2 of the plant will be operational from February 2015, confirmed a source of CESC.
An ideal rehabilitation village has been set up with the aid of Haldia Development Authority at Srikishnapur which is 7 km from the site of the power plant so as to accommodate 450 families who have been shifted from the project site.
Skill development programmes will be organised for the villagers, which would help them come up with sustainable form of livelihood.
Here are some excerpts from the Chief Minister’s speech:

  • We have started helicopter services between Kolkata and towns like Haldia, Balurghat, Durgapur.

  • NTPC is setting up a power plant at Katwa.

  • There was a land dispute. We solved the issue.

  • We have land banks.

  • Land will not be an issue for industry.

  • Another power plant is coming up at Raghunathpur.

  • Bengal has surplus of power.

  • Small issues can be solved through talks.

  • There was some problem at Andal. It was a local issue. We solved the problem.

  • There has to be a bridge between the employer and the the employee. Then there will never be any problem.

  • Industrial growth in Bengal is on a good track.

  • I thank all chambers of commerce and all federations for your cooperation.

  • Bengal’s growth rate in service sector, industry is higher than national average.

  • Number of mandays lost in Bengal has come down from 80 lakh to zero.

  • We are building Kisan Bazaars in every block. This is being done in PPP mode.

  • Agricultural marketing is an important sector with a lot of potential.

  • Industrial infrastructure is being developed in Bengal.

  • Bengal is a gateway to North East.

  • Bengal will surge ahead on the path of development.

(Image is a representative one)