"We are hopeful that we will get the Centre's nod for the chemical hub that we want to develop as a special economic zone (SEZ)," he said. Gujarat is seeking federal assistance for a similar project, Sen added.

Talks about a chemical hub at Haldia have been doing the rounds ever since the NDA regime came to power in Delhi. Earlier this year, IOC also expressed interest to undertake a project of this kind here.

"We will soon start acquiring land for the IT-cumbiotech project," Sen said. He did not comment on the timeframe set for this purpose. No decision has been taken on how much of the identified area would be reserved for IT companies, he added. Assuming that the bulk of the land goes to IT, it would mark the biggest land allocation for infotech ventures in Bengal.

Sen said the eastern link highway, for which talks are on with the Centre for providing funds, would initially start as a two-lane highway and later upgraded to a fourlane facility to speed up traffic flow. Initial cost for this project has been pegged at Rs 1,500 crore.

IL&FS CMD Ravi Parthasarathy said his organisation was also helping the state in developing infrastructure at Haldia. It had managed to secure Rs 50 crore towards this end from the Union commerce ministry, he added.