The Centre has inked an allotment agreement with the West Bengal Power Development Corporation (WBPDCL) for Deocha Pachami Dewanganj-Harinsingha coal block.
In accordance with the provisions of Coal Block Allocation Rules 2017, made under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957, WBPDCL has been allocated the block located in West Bengal spread over 12.28 sq km with an estimated reserves of 2,102 million tonne for power generation.
This is the world’s second largest coal block. An upfront refundable deposit of Rs 50 crore has been made to the Central government in this regard.
The coal block will need an investments to the tune of Rs 12,000-15,000 crore over a period of time. The state will be required to acquire around 9,000 acre of the project area of 11,222.50 acre. Vested land is estimated to be about 2,000 acre and five percent is forest land for which forest clearance is required.
The mega project can supply coal for the next 100 years. It will take around five years to begin production.
The state government will proceed with the project by taking care of every aspect from resettlement to environment.
There are about 395 families, 40 percent tribal in Deocha-Pachami. Resettlement will be for another 389 families (total of 784 families) and everyone will be taken into confidence before the project work starts.
