Bengal cabinet clears projects worth Rs 18,000 crore

Kolkata, Sep 25 (UNI) Going bullish with its industrialisation drive, the West Bengal Government today cleared investment proposals worth about Rs 18,000 crore requiring around 6,000 acres of land.

Attended by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, among others, the cabinet also approved 'Nayachar' near Haldia as a possible site for the proposed chemical hub and decided to put forward the proposal to the Centre.

Briefing reporters after the state meeting, Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb said approval had been given for Videocon's cold roll steel plant at Durgapur and a captive power plant at Barabani--both in Bardhaman district-- involving a total investment of Rs 15,000 crore.

The proposed cold roll plant would provide direct employment to 10,000 people, he said.

The cabinet also okayed the proposal for a six million ton steel plant and a captive power plant to be set up by Shyam Steel Industries Limited respectively at Kharagpur in East Midnapore district and Purulia district at a total cost of Rs 2,500 crore.

About 6,500 people were expected to be employed in these projects, the Chief Secretary said.

Two thermal power plants of 300 MW each would be set up at Katwa in Bardhaman district by West Bengal Power Development Corporation on a total of 1,030 acres of land, valued at Rs 33 crore, Mr Deb said.

The cabinet also decided to form a land procurement committee for acquisition of land for the proposed DLF township at Dankuni in Hooghly district.

UNI