December 16, 2014
Bengal to receive Rs 12000 crore investment for coal block development in Birbhum
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said an investment of Rs 12,000 crore in a joint venture would be made to develop a coal block in the State’s Birbhum district, creating employment for a large number of people.
Briefing the media at the state secretariat, WB CM said Deocha-Pachami coal block in the state with a reserve of 2,200 million tonnes, which was allocated to six states and a CPSU by the Centre in 2013, would be developed in a joint venture.
“Development of this coal block under Md Bazar block in Birbhum district in a joint venture will expedite the development process in the entire area covering Bankura, Birbhum, Purulia, Burdwan and Murshidabad districts,” Banerjee said.
State Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra said, “There will be direct investment of Rs 12,000 crore and indirect investment could be several times more. It will provide direct and indirect employment to thousands of people.”
This coal block will provide coal to Sagardighi and Katwa for a period of 25 years. West Bengal Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Ltd will start the initial activities to carry out mining.
Besides creating employment opportunity, development of this coal block would also boost the industrial growth in the Purulia-Bankura-Asansol-Durgapur-Birbhum belt.
