Chandigarh- With the target of quick monitoring potash exploration within the State and addressing India’s heavy reliance on imported Potash, Punjab Authorities has intensified efforts to strengthen home mineral sources essential for agriculture. The excessive stage assessment assembly was convened to take inventory of progress establish future priorities and agency up timelines for exploration throughout key potash bearing areas of Punjab.
Punjab Mining and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal chaired the assembly on the Punjab Civil Secretariat right here with senior officers of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) which included Deputy Director Common (Punjab Himachal and Haryana) Shrimati Gupta, Administrators Sushree Mishra and Aprajeeta Bhatacharji and officers of the Division of Mines and Geology Punjab Chief Engineer Hardeep Singh Mehndiratta and Assistant Geologist Sh. Paras Mahajan.
The assembly reviewed the standing of accomplished exploration blocks ongoing drilling actions throughout Subject Season 2025-26 and proposed reconnaissance and preliminary exploration programmes for Subject Season 2026-27 with particular concentrate on Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts the place vital potash potential has been recognized.
Briefing the Minister, the GSI knowledgeable that G4 stage exploration has been accomplished in Qabarwala Block and Shergarh-Dalmirkhera Block, with geological memorandums already handed over to the State Authorities. Following State consent, an amalgamated Shergarh-Sherawala-Ramsara-Dalmirkhera block has been put to public sale for Composite Licence within the sixth tranche by the Ministry of Mines, with outcomes awaited. It was additional shared that drilling is underway in Rajpura-Rajawali Block and Gidranwali-Azimgarh Block at six websites, of which 5 have been accomplished and ultimate studies are anticipated by April after chemical evaluation.
For the upcoming Subject Season 2026-27, GSI proposed reconnaissance surveys in Kera-Khera Block and Saiyadwala Block of Fazilka district, together with preliminary exploration in Kandhwala-Ramsra Block, masking fifteen drilling websites.
Responding to the Minister’s question on full basin protection, the officers of the GSI knowledgeable that the whole evaporite basin of Punjab is being surveyed via geophysical strategies and an space of about fifty sq. kilometre has already been recognized for detailed exploration, for which Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Restricted will submit a venture to the Ministry.
Appreciating the sustained and scientific efforts, Goyal directed that each one ongoing drilling and mapping work throughout Subject Season 2025-26 be expedited and proposed blocks for 2026-27 be accomplished strictly on schedule. He additionally directed month-to-month assessment conferences between the Division of Mines and Geology Punjab and GSI to make sure shut monitoring and well timed handover of further promising blocks, in addition to planning future feasibility research for mining.
Highlighting the bigger public curiosity, the Minister mentioned, “Potash is a essential enter for agriculture and in the present day India imports practically 99 p.c of its requirement. Any success in potash exploration and future manufacturing in Punjab will immediately profit our farmers, strengthen nationwide meals safety and provides a serious push to the State and nationwide economic system. Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Authorities is totally dedicated to supporting each scientific effort that helps the nation transfer in direction of self-reliance on this very important mineral.”
