ONGC Secures Land for Oil Project in Ashoknagar Without Major Disputes
India’s state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has secured land for crude oil extraction in Ashoknagar, West Bengal, without any significant land acquisition disputes, thanks to intervention by a core committee formed by the state government. The development marks a major breakthrough in a project that had earlier stalled for years due to land availability issues. ONGC had first discovered oil reserves around a decade ago in the Baigachi area of Ashoknagar in North 24 Parganas district. A second discovery was later made in Pumlia under the Bhurkunda Panchayat. Most recently, fresh reserves were found in Kakpul, located in Ashoknagar’s Daulatpur area. To address potential land disputes, the West Bengal government devised a special compensation package. Local MLA and North 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad Chairperson Narayan Goswami said, “Under the Chief Minister’s directive, we formed a core committee comprising the district magistrate, block development officer, and panchayat officials to directly engage with landowners. That helped us secure the land.” Earlier, ONGC had halted operations in Baigachi after completing preliminary drilling due to a lack of additional land. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had allocated 15 acres to ONGC at a token lease of just one rupee to support further exploration. Over the past five to six months, ONGC sought formal clearance from the state to begin full-fledged drilling in the area. It has since acquired land on lease from owners in the two earlier locations and has now added the Kakpul site to its exploration portfolio. Officials say similar efforts are underway at other prospective sites nearby. Goswami emphasized the state’s commitment to an industry-friendly environment, stating, “The Chief Minister has made it clear that land issues should not hinder industrial progress. In coordination with local municipalities and panchayats, we’ve ensured a smooth path for investors.” Plans are also being drawn up to provide employment opportunities to the families of land donors, especially for their children, as part of a broader compensation package. However, questions have emerged regarding delays in the project’s execution. Addressing the concerns, Goswami said, “Criticism is easy, but such large-scale projects involve complex technical processes. Once those are resolved, work will proceed as planned.”
