- BCCI’s 4th Edition of Discussion Forum on the Ecological Sustainability in the Industrial Region -Asansol/ Durgapur was held on 24th March 2021
- COVID19 safety measures increased Plastic Waste, and the improved air quality Index during the Lockdown also came down drastically
- Underground Mining is key for sustainable Mining; the recommendations & suggestions will be shared to the Government
In a continuous effort and exercise to address environment-friendly practices particularly relevant to industrial regions of the State, The Bengal Chamber had organized the 4th Edition of Discussion Forum on Ecological Sustainability in the Durgapur-Asansol Industrial Region on 24th March 2021 at Asansol Engineering College, Vivekananda Sarani, Kanyapur, Asansol.
The key speakers of the program were Sumit Sarkar Divisional Railway Manager, Asansol, Eastern Railway; B Beera Reddy, Director Technical, Eastern Coalfields Limited, Sandeep Bhalotia President, Raniganj Chamber of Commerce; Dr P P Bhattacharya, Principal Asansol Engineering College, Somesh Dasgupta, Chairperson People Management at BCCI, and among others.
Addressing the participants Somesh Dasgupta, Chairperson People Management, BCCI & Whole-time Director of India Power Corporation Limited said that the Bengal Chamber takes great pleasure in coming back to Asansol after a year which has been a crucial period globally. “As a responsible and responsive Chamber of Commerce, we find that it is our mandate to share with the industry the importance of green growth. During the pandemic, we have witnessed a dichotomy of industrial slow down and environmental up-gradation with better air quality and, in some cases, water quality”, said Mr Dasgupta.
Somesh Dasgupta brought attention to the increase in plastic and other wastes resulting in the safety measure products manufactured for COVID19. “However, the improved air quality index was also a temporary phase and we all have witnessed that with increased industrial activities and exit from lockdown, the environment took back its former condition It is important that we focus on regeneration from the pandemic with considerations for environmental sustainability,” added Somesh Dasgupta.
B Veera Reddy, Director Technical, Eastern Coalfields Limited, said that underground mining is the way forward towards sustainable mining. ECL, among its other initiatives towards sustainability, is exploring effective technologies for implementing underground mining and mass production. Mr Reddy said that the Coal India Limited believes that land reclamation is the key to sustainable mining. It is all set to achieve the land degradation neutrality target of India set out in UNCCD COP-14. He added, “CIL has so far excavated 32,380 hectares of land out of which it has biologically reclaimed 18,890 hectares of land. It has created an additional carbon sink of 185,000 Tonnes of CO2 per year helping country to achieve one of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets.”
Sumit Sarkar, Divisional Railway Manager, Asansol, Eastern Railway mentioned Asansol Division is focusing on 3 MW of Solar Energy which would lead to 5-7% savings in electricity bill. Excess solar power may also be fed into the grid by the switch over points. For around 5 KW of Solar project approx. 5 lac would be required which will have a life expectancy of 25 years.
Sandeep Bhalotia President, Raniganj Chamber of Commerce said, considering the ecological condition of the region, a consistent supply of clean energy like Coal Bed Methane is required for industrial development. Proper vigilance by policymakers would increase investors’ confidence.
The objective of the Discussion Forum was to bring together the stakeholders of Durgapur – Asansol Industrial Belt, Policy Makers and Industry Leaders to brainstorm and share the best practices and cutting-edge technologies to take forward the industrial development of the State with adequate fortification towards the vulnerability of ecology. The forum discussed key areas like the best practices, concerns and way forward and opportunities with regard to air pollution and waste management, sustainable use of land, green cargo logistics. The forum will also serve as a platform to discuss and introduce newer technologies in air pollution prevention and waste disposal management.
The recommendations and suggestions evolved out of the discussion forum are forwarded to the relevant authorities in the Government for further action. For more details, you can write to angana@bengalchamber.com