Nitish Flags off Oil and Natural Gas Exploration
Purnia: Nov. 17, 2007
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in Purnia on Saturday, inaugurated the Rs. 150-crore Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) land survey and oil exploration program covering an area in excess of 2,500 square kilometers in Purnia, Katihar, Araria, and Kishanganj districts that could have a far-reaching effect on the state's economic status.
Kumar, using Chhath to make his point, asked the people to pray for large deposit of oil and natural gas under Bihar's yet to be explored ground.
"Today, people all over Bihar are worshipping sun, the ultimate source of energy. We all should join them in hoping and praying that Bihar should find its own source of energy that would turn the fate of this state once and for all," the Chief Minister said at a gathering at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Purnia.
"With Bihar separated from Jharkhand, it is our hope that a large reserve of petroleum is discovered in the Gangetic basin of Bihar to counterbalance the loss incurred due to the state bifurcation," Kumar said.
The ONGC is expected to drill three oil wells in Bihar and invest Rs. 150 crore by the year 2015.
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