In a bold claim ahead of state elections, the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) announced that nearly 90% of the Deucha-Pachami-Dewanganj-Harinsingha coal mining project will rely on underground mining techniques. The project, located in Birbhum district, is being promoted as a low-impact, non-displacement initiative, with officials asserting that no homes or infrastructure will need to be evicted.

Underground Mining for Sustainability

According to WBPDCL, the coal seam in the Deucha area lies 300 meters beneath the surface, making open-cast mining impractical for the majority of the site. Instead, underground mining will be used for around 3,400 acres of the project, while only 326 acres will be allocated for open-cast mining primarily for basalt extraction and to create access ducts. This method is expected to significantly reduce environmental damage compared to traditional open-cast mining.

WBPDCL officials argue that underground mining, although more complex and expensive, is necessary due to the deep coal seams, which exceed the depth of India’s deepest open-cast mines. This technique, they assert, will ensure minimal land disruption and prevent the need for displacing communities.

Pilot Operation and Land Acquisition

The project’s pilot operation began in February 2025, covering a 12-acre area for tree transplantation and initial mining activities. While 103 acres of the 326-acre open-cast zone are government-owned, the remaining land is being acquired from private owners, with compensation offered at ?13 lakh per bigha, alongside government job offers. WBPDCL claims that no residential buildings or homes exist on the acquired land, although this has been contested by some critics.

The coal reserves at Deucha are estimated to be among the world’s largest untapped reserves, with an estimated 500 million tonnes of basalt and 1,240 million tonnes of coal. The project is expected to generate around ?30,000 crore in investment and contribute up to 3 million tonnes of coal annually, primarily for West Bengal’s thermal power plants, reducing the region’s reliance on external coal sources.