The Energy Division has formed a 15-member expert committee to review the proposed national coal policy and submit a report in four months, said an official.

The government has started to try to build public opinion in favour of open-pit coal extraction from the deposits located in the northern districts, in particular the Phulbari coalmine.

It has also started developing a mining town in Dinajpur close to the coal deposits in Phulbari and Barapukuria.