Pollution embargo causes Rs 50,000 crore investment loss to Bengal

KOLKATA: The environment embargo until recently in Haldia has caused Rs 50,000 crore investment delay or loss to West Bengal.

"Environment related factors have caused this delay or loss of Rs 50,000 crore investment," Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee said today inaugurating an IT park here.

The Rs 26,000 crore power plant and tourism project at Nayachar is also pending due to environmental clearances, the minister said.

The Centre has recently decided to revoke the ban on fresh investment at Haldia.

Chatterjee claimed that the state government has been able to reduce project clearance to 45 days from three months and a year previously.

He said the state is ranked sixth by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry for receiving investment proposals.