Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is working out an alternative plan for workers who have lost their jobs due to demonetisation. In an effort to create jobs for the gold artisans who have lost their jobs, the state is coming up with a new jewellery park — the third of its kind — beside Belgharia Expressway in Howrah.

The West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), has come up with a new plan to develop a jewellery park on an eight-acre plot beside Belgharia Expressway. “Mamata Banerjee has asked WBIDC officials to submit a detailed report on the project at the earliest. The place has road links to Kolkata, Howrah, Kharagpur and Durgapur and is 12km from the central business district. The airport is 22km away from the proposed site,” a senior official at the state secretariat said.

WBIDC is trying to negotiate with an Italian company to formulate the design of the park. “After the implementing agency finalizes the plan, they will submit it before the cabinet. Once we get the approval, we plan to complete construction within two years,” a senior cabinet minister said.