Odishatv Bureau

Balasore: The national seismic programme aimed at tracing hydro-carbon resources was launched in Mahanadi basin at Taranga village under Soro block in Balasore district today.

The programme was inaugurated by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan in presence of Odisha's Steel and Mines minister Prafulla Mallick.

Inaugurating the event, the Union minister said “No attempt had been made to explore the natural gas and oil for last 25 years. This work has begun from today for which over Rs 5000 cr will be spent. The scientists made a survey of this place and expected presence of huge quantities of natural resources. We also expected the resources from this village,"Pradhan said.

“If oil and gas is traced from here, it would boost the local economy and would provide large number of employment", he added.

The Centre has taken step to plant 2500 km stretch gas pipe- line from Uttar Pradesh to Dhamra via Balasore-Bhadrak for transportation of gas. It will be set up at a cost of Rs 13,000 crore. This apart, Dhamra Port Co. Ltd, the firm that runs Dhamra port in Bhadrak district, plans to set up terminals for handling liquefied natural gas (LNG) and containers at the port to tap the growing demand. The estimated cost of the project would be Rs 6000 crore, Pradhan said.

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