A major portion of the Deucha-Pachami-Dewanganj-Harinsingha coal mining project in West Bengal’s Birbhum district would be executed underground, without requiring the eviction of homes or infrastructure, claimed officials from the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL), the state’s nodal agency for the initiative.
Officials said nearly 90 per cent of the proposed 3,400-acre (1,375.93 hectares) site would rely on underground mining, which they asserted would minimise environmental damage. Only 326 acres or 131.92 hectares — less than 10 per cent of the project area — were earmarked for open-cast mining, primarily to extract basalt and create access ducts to deeper coal seams, located around 300 metres below the surface.
“The coal seam is too deep for open-cast mining, which is generally simpler and cheaper,” said a technical expert from WBPDCL who spoke on condition of anonymity. “India’s deepest open-cast mines have not reached such depths.”
The Deucha coal block is believed to be among the largest untapped coal reserves in the world. The project has been pitched as a flagship employment and energy security initiative by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The claims of the largely underground design may also help the Trinamool Congress avoid controversy over displacement ahead of next year’s state elections.
The government commenced a pilot operation over 12 acres or 4.85 hectares in early February, following environmental clearance. This was announced during the Bengal Global Business Summit held February 5-6, 2025 in Kolkata.
WBPDCL officials said that of the 326 acres allocated for open-cast mining, 103 acres or 41.68 hectares were government-owned, while the remainder will be acquired from private landowners. They claimed no buildings or homes were present on the purchased plots. Compensation of Rs 13 lakh per bigha and a government job — typically as a junior constable or Group D staff — were offered. Around 2,200 families had reportedly been identified for compensation.
Tree transplantation had already begun in the pilot zone, with 185 of an estimated 980 trees moved from the 326-acre area, said officials. The project’s basalt reserve, extending from 25 to 300 metres in depth, was estimated at 500 million tonnes, with an investment of roughly Rs 30,000 crore. Beneath that, the coal seam — from 300 to 900 metres — was believed to hold around 1,240 million tonnes of reserves, based on 109 boreholes conducted by the Geological Survey of India and project teams.
A global expression of interest had been floated to select an agency for preparing the detailed mine plan, stated the technical expert. The plan could include a mix of underground coal mining and coal-based gasification. Several national and international firms reportedly submitted proposals. Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Ltd (a Coal India subsidiary) and the National Institute of Rock Mechanics under the Union Ministry of Mines were also involved in developing the project plan.
The coal grade at Deucha was reportedly Grade 9 —lower ash content than the coal currently used in West Bengal’s thermal power plants. Officials said the coal, with 15 per cent ash, would be used exclusively within the state’s power plants, potentially reducing pollution levels.
“The state’s annual thermal coal requirement stands at at 22 million tonnes. The Deucha project was expected to yield around 2 to 3 million tonnes per year, contributing to long-term energy security,” stated a senior official of state government.
Another state government official noted that the relatively modest commercial return from Deucha had earlier deterred Coal India from pursuing the project. However, the state government viewed it as a strategic priority, both for energy and employment.
Critics from across the political and environmental spectrum agreed that underground mining is expected to have fewer environmental consequences than open-cast mining, but questioned the lack of transparency.
“We have no idea what the government plans to do in Deucha. Where is the detailed project report?” asked Communist Party of India (Marxist) politburo member and former member of Parliament Ram Chandra Dome.
He also questioned the rationale behind land acquisition and job offers if no displacement was to occur.
Former CPI (M) minister Debesh Das accused the government of neglecting environmental concerns and diverting forest land for the project. Activist Udvash Das alleged that several Gram Sabhas had opposed the mine, but their dissent was being ignored by the state.
Green platform Sabuj Mancha raised concerns over the lack of publicly available environmental data. In a letter to the Chief Minister signed by secretary Naba Dutta, the group demanded information on forest land diversion, tree felling, water and air pollution, waste management and biodiversity impacts.
“Even if underground mining causes less surface disruption, key environmental and public health indicators must still be regularly monitored,” said Arunabha Majumdar, former director of the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health.
In defence, Rajya Sabha MP and Trinamool member Samirul Islam, who was previously on a state-appointed social committee for Deucha-Pachami, said opposition groups were spreading misinformation for political gain. He claimed that nearly 1,600 people had already received government jobs and reiterated that no one would be displaced.
“Because the project involves primarily underground mining with minimal environmental consequences, the opposition movement will soon die down,” he said.