After obtaining clearance from the Union ministry of science and technology, GSI is now prepared to undertake the study and officials said work could begin in December. The study will take three months' time, a commerce and industries department official said after the meeting.

State commerce and industries minister Nirupam Sen said the government has already applied to the Centre for setting up the chemical hub.

Chief secretary Amit Kiran Deb will discuss the issue of Nayachar at a meeting on Tuesday with land reforms commissioner PK Agrawal, Sabyasachi Sen and fisheries secretary RPS Kahlon.

The land under the fisheries department, Haldia Development Authority and KoPT has to be transferred to the industries department for the hub to come up. The formalities would be completed by the land and land reforms department. The land reforms commissioner has asked the East Midnapore DM not to issue any further lease for Nayachar.