Indian Government Approves 'Samudra Manthan' Scheme to Boost Oil and Gas Exploration Amid Global Energy Concerns
The Indian government has announced the 'Samudra Manthan' National Offshore Exploration Scheme, a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the country's oil and gas reserves. Approved by the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme involves an investment of Rs 84,084 crore and is set to be implemented through the fiscal year 2030-31. The initiative seeks to harness India's offshore energy resources, potentially adding over 600 million metric tons of oil equivalent to the nation's reserves. The scheme includes two main components: seismic data acquisition, processing, and interpretation, and offshore exploration acceleration with common infrastructure and manufacturing support. This comprehensive program aims to increase domestic oil and gas production, reduce dependency on imports, and secure energy supply amid global geopolitical tensions affecting major oil routes. 
