Kolkata, Sept. 28 -- West Bengal will host the four-day India Energy Week 2027 from January 27 to 30, with the government expecting the high-profile event to attract investment, expand energy infrastructure and create employment opportunities.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, speaking at a joint briefing with Union Petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri and senior officials on Monday, said Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the nodal implementing agency, had informed the state that the event would shift to Bengal from its usual venue in Goa.

Adhikari said a preparatory meeting involving the Union petroleum and natural gas ministry, IOC and state departments had been held at Nabanna. A state team led by industry secretary Vandana Yadav will coordinate with the Centre and IOC, with weekly meetings planned after Durga Puja.

The chief minister highlighted recent energy-sector developments, including successful oil extraction at Ashoknagar in North 24-Parganas, expansion of the Haldia refinery, increased domestic gas supply and LPG schemes. He also said IOC planned to plant several lakh mangrove saplings in the Sundarbans as part of its CSR initiatives. The state will constitute a multi-departmental team involving industry, police, transport and other departments to facilitate the event.

"India Energy Week will provide Bengal an opportunity to attract investment and expand infrastructure and employment in the energy sector," Adhikari said, thanking Puri and the petroleum ministry for choosing Kolkata.

Puri said India Energy Week, launched in 2023, had earlier been held in Bengaluru, Delhi and Goa. He said Bengal had once had great prospects and the present government was trying to revive its "old glory".

Speaking at the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Puri said geopolitical turmoil had created uncertainty over energy security. Global energy prices had risen by more than 70 per cent, he said, while the increase in India was much lower.

"This was because of the resolution of the Prime Minister, whose mantra was to ensure availability and affordability. The prices of petrol and diesel were slashed thrice by reducing the excise duties," Puri said. He added that oil marketing companies faced heavy under-recoveries but the government "would not let them "sink".

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.