Gujarat can become India's petro-hub: ONGC chief

Gandhinagar, Dec 20 : Gujarat could become the hub of India's petroleum sector once the upcoming Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) project is completed, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) chairman Radheshyam Sharma told Chief Minister Narendra Modi Saturday.

The Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) and ONGC are jointly implementing the project.

According to state officials, Sharma discussed with Modi the possibilities of expanding the partnership to an underground coal gasification (UCG) project, based on Russian-German technology.

In response, Modi outlined the opportunities in coal bed methane (CBM) development and research in North Gujarat, and possibilities in non-conventional energy, particularly wind and solar hybrid energy, solar energy, wind power energy and geo-thermal energy.

The ONGC chief accepted the suggestions made by Modi on corporate social responsibility in the petroleum and energy sectors. The chief minister said there was a need to create a special cell to address the issues and grievances of farmers when land is required for setting up projects.

Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority will undertake a project with ONGC to tackle the issues of oil and gas leak, pollution and crisis management. Sharma said the Mangrove Project would be implemented very soon at Bay of Cambay to protect coastal environment.

GSPC managing director J. Pandian was present at the meeting between Modi and Sharma.

--IANS