Kolkata: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya proposed the setting up of a dedicated chemical park in the state at an estimated cost of Rs 1,500 crore. In his proposal, Bhattacharya identified Singur in Hooghly district as one of the most suitable locations for the proposed chemical park project. I,000 crore per park against a minimum state contribution of Rs 500 crore on a minimum of 2,000 acres of contiguous, encumbrance-free land. According to Bhattacharya, the proposed project could create direct employment in construction, plant operations, logistics and ancillary MSMEs. The BJP MP had also suggested that Adhikari engage proactively with the Union chemicals and petrochemicals ministry, ahead of the formal guidelines being issued, to ensure West Bengal is positioned to respond swiftly and also earmark the state’s matching contribution in the upcoming budgetary exercise, in consultation with the West Bengal Finance Department.