Suri (WB) Feb 6 (PTI) Bhumipuja was performed at Deucha Pachami coal project in West Bengal's Birbhum district on Thursday, marking the commencement of overburden removal, an official said.

The project involving the world's second-largest coal block, touted as a potential game-changer for the state, carries an estimated capital expenditure of Rs 35,000 crore and promises employment opportunities for around one lakh people.

The ceremony, held at the project site, was attended by Birbhum District Magistrate Bidhan Ray, Superintendent of Police Amandeep, and other officials from the district administration and the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL).

At the valedictory session of the Bengal Global Business Summit 2025 during the day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mentioned that mining has commenced at Deucha Pachami.

The coal project, which is the country's largest, has faced various hurdles, including the presence of a substantial layer of hard basalt rock overburden. This overburden needs to be removed before coal extraction can begin.

Overburden, comprising soil, rock, and other materials above the coal seam, is predominantly thick basalt layers in the mining site.

The initial phase of overburden removal will focus on a 12-acre plot in Chanda mouza. This land, previously under the forest department, is currently free from encumbrances, allowing for a smooth start to the operation, the district magistrate said.

"The infrastructure is almost ready. The locals will be engaged to mine basalt and blackstone. They will get huge job opportunities," Ray said.

Beyond conventional mining, the state government is also exploring innovative approaches to utilise the coal reserves.

It aims to establish a coal gasification project on 30 per cent of the project area where open-cast and underground minings are deemed unfeasible. PTI COR BSM NN

Commencement of mining signals start of overburden removal and local employment with plans for partial coal gasification. Commencement of mining operations has begun at Deucha Pachami with initiation of basalt-dominated overburden removal on a 12-acre Chanda mouza plot reported free from encumbrances, enabling immediate work and local labour engagement; authorities also plan coal gasification across about thirty percent of the area unsuitable for conventional mining.