By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 7, 2018: Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday sought support of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in establishing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) facility at Chandikhol in Jajpur District at an estimated cost of Rs 6,500 crore.

Pradhan a letter to Patnaik requested for single window clearance by Industrial Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO) and consent for sourcing water and power for the much-awaited SPR project.

The Union minister also requested support and facilitation of the state government in land acquisition process and for required permissions of environment and pollution board clearances.

The Union Cabinet on June 27 had approved the establishment of a 4 million metric tonne (MMT)-capacity Strategic Petroleum Reserve facility at Chandikhole in Jajpur district.

“The project will generate employment in the state for the five-year construction period. About 600 acre government land has been identified at Chandikhole after extensive survey of geological/rock structure. The SPR will bring in an investment of approx. Rs 6,500 crore. It would be a value-add proposition to the PCPIR, Paradip and contribute to the creation of a petroleum hub in Odisha,” the letter stated

Earlier the Joint Secretary of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, Sunjay Sudhir had held discussions with the Chief Secretary of Odisha over the initiation of the project.

This will be a big milestone for Odisha as it will place the state on the global map of SPRs. Besides, it will be a value added proposition to the PCPIR, Paradip and contribute to the creation of petroleum hub in Odisha.