West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said the state has got clearance from the Centre for the Deocha Pachami coal block in Birbhum district, which has the potential to generate nearly one lakh employment opportunities.
Banerjee said the coal block, the world's second largest, would bring in investments to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore over a period of time.
"We waited for two to three years and kept on trying to get clearance for the Deocha Pachami coal block... And finally, the state has got it," she said after inaugurating a project and laying foundation stones of several others at the Calcutta Leather Complex in Bantala.
The chief minister said that besides Birbhum, Bankura, Asansol and Durgapur would also be benefited.
"The agreement (for the handover) will be completed soon. The block will attract investment of Rs 12,000 crore... and nearly one lakh people will get employment (direct and indirect)," Banerjee said.
"There will be several shops, hospitals, schools, market places coming up," she added.
The block is located in the south-western part of Birbhum coalfield in Deocha and Panchamati area, adjoining the Dewanganj block. It is spread over an area of 9.7 sq km.
The block, which has an estimated coal reserve of 2.1 billion tonnes, was allotted to West Bengal by the Centre in June last year.
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