The Government of West Bengal got the allocation of the Deocha Pachami Harinsingha Dewanganj Coal Mines in Birbhum district, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday.

“I am very happy to share with all of you that after a long wait of 3 years, #Bengal has got the allocation of the Deocha Pachami Harinsingha Dewanganj Coal Mines in Birbhum district,” the West Bengal CM informed on Twitter.

Banerjee, who is the chief of Trinamool Congress (TMC), added that the coal mine, the second largest in the world, will generate around 1 lakh jobs for people in Birbhum and adjoining districts.

“With an estimated reserve of 2102 million tonnes, it is the 2nd largest coal mine in the world. The mining project has huge potential of generating nearly a lakh of direct and indirect employment opportunities in #Birbhum and neighbouring districts,” she said, adding that investments worth Rs 12,000 crores will be a part of the intermediate run.

“All together, there will be huge socio economic development of Birbhum, the neighbouring districts and the entire state. Necessary administrative infrastructure has already been set up to start the project immediately,” Banerjee said.

The mining project has huge potential of generating nearly a lakh of direct and indirect employment opportunities in #Birbhum and neighbouring districts.

It will also involve investments worth Rs 12000 crores in the intermediate run.

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 8, 2018

All together, there will be huge socio economic development of Birbhum, the neighbouring districts and the entire state.

Necessary administrative infrastructure has already been set up to start the project immediately.

My best wishes to all.

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 8, 2018

The West Bengal CM had in February 2016 inaugurated the coal fields in Birbhum district. The project is a joint venture between West Bengal Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Ltd. and the Bengal Birbhum Coalfields Ltd.

The extracted coal would be used for power generation in West Bengal and other states.

Bengal Birbhum Coalfields Ltd (BBCL) is a special purpose vehicle to develop the Deocha Pachami Dewanganj Harinsingha coal block where six states – West Bengal, Karnataka, Bihar, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh – and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL) have shares. Bengal’s shareholding is the largest at 28 per cent.

Bengal is expected to get the biggest share of the coal – 584 million tonne – from the block.

(With inputs from agencies.)