Deocha-Pachami: A New Vein for Bengal's Economy?

The West Bengal government has commissioned the National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM), under the Union Ministry of Mines, to assess the feasibility of underground coal mining at Deocha-Pachami in Birbhum. The study aims to determine whether coal can be extracted from 2,000 of the 3,500 project acres without displacing local residents.

NIRM will examine the stability of a rock layer over 500 meters thick that sits atop the coal reserves. The findings will be crucial in deciding if mining can proceed safely without endangering communities or causing structural collapse.

This initiative is part of the state's broader industrial strategy, especially vital as it seeks to attract major investment. Underground mining could produce up to 400 lakh tonnes of coal from a reserve of 1,200 lakh tonnes.

Interest from both Indian and global companies followed a December 2024 tender. Meanwhile, open-cast mining has begun on 376 acres, and a coal gasification project is planned on another 1,000 acres. The state hopes to fast-track underground operations to generate employment while minimizing local opposition tied to relocation concerns.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.