The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in association with West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB), organized the Fourth Edition of Discussion Forum on Ecological Sustainability in the Industrial Region-Durgapur/Asansol, on 24th March 2021 at Asansol Engineering College. The Chamber organized the earlier editions of the Discussion Forum successfully in Haldia, Siliguri and Durgapur. 

The objective of the Discussion Forum was to bring together the stakeholders of Asansol- Durgapur 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 vulnerability of ecology. 

Stakeholders and Industry Associations like India Power Corporation Limited, Eastern Coalfields Limited, NU Vista Limited, Crescent Power Limited Eastern, Shyam Sel and Power Ltd, Eastern Railway, Raniganj Chamber of Commerce and Refractory Manufacturer's Association were present to express their views of sustainable development of the city. Exide Industries limited also participated in the programme.

 This year, the Forum focused on: 

⮚ Air Pollution & Solid Waste Management 

⮚ Green Cargo Logistics

⮚ Sustainable use of Land 

Mr. Somesh Dasgupta, Chairperson, People Management, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Whole Time Director, India Power Corporation Limited delivered the formal Welcome Address. The Inaugural Session was graced by College; Mr. B. Veera Reddy, Director (Technical) Operations, Eastern Coalfields Limited, Shri Sumit Sarkar, Divisional Railway Manager – Asansol,Eastern Railway, 

Mr. Sandeep Bhalotia, President, Raniganj Chamber of Commerce, Dr. P P Bhattacharya, Principal, Asansol Engineering and Mr. Atin Chowdhury, Advisor, Asansol Engineering College. 

Mr. Somesh Dasgupta, Chairperson, People Management, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Whole Time Director, India Power Corporation Limited mentioned “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. But safety measures for covid has also increased use of plastic and other wastes. However, the improved air quality index was also a temporary phase and we all have witnessed that with increased industrial activities and exit from lock down, the environment took back its former condition It is important that we focus on regeneration from the pandemic with considerations for environmental sustainability.” 

Mr. B. Veera Reddy, Director (Technical) Operations, Eastern Coalfields Limited, mentioned underground mining is the way forward towards sustainable mining. Eastern Coalfields Limited, among its other initiatives towards sustainability, is exploring effective technologies for implementing underground mining and mass production. 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. Coal India Limited 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 tons of CO2 per year helping country to achieve one of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets.

Shri 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 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. 

Mr. Sandeep Bhalotia, President, Raniganj Chamber of Commerce mentioned, considering the ecological condition of the region, consistent supply of clean energy like Coal Bed Methane is required for industrial development. Proper vigilance by policy makers would increase investors’ confidence. 

Mr. Atin Chowdhury, Advisor, Asansol Engineering College delivered the formal Vote of Thanks. 

There was Discussion Forum focusing on Industry perspective and Air Pollution & Waste Management. 

Mr. Subhajit Banerjee, AGM- Production & Quality, Emami Cement Ltd; Mr. Ujjwal Sur, Assistant Manager- Safety, Hygiene and Environment, Crescent Power Limited; Mr. Kaushik Banerjee, Jr. Officer,Crescent Power Limited and Mr. Ashok Chakraborty, General Secretary, Refractory Manufacturer's Association graced the forum on Air Pollution & Waste Management and Industry Perspective. The Session was chaired by Dr. G S Panda, Registrar, Asansol Engineering College. 

The discussion forum was followed by vibrant interactions. The forum was attended by all the major industries of the Region. Senior functionaries of West Bengal Pollution Control Board were also present at the forum.