Chandigarh, February 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Following the strongly raised issues by Punjab Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on the need for full scale exploration of evaporite basin areas in the state, the Project Sanctioning Committee of the National Mineral Exploration & Development Trust, Ministry of Mines, Government of India in its meeting dated 09.02.2026 has approved a new exploration project titled “Reconnaissance Survey G-4 for Potash in Choharianwali Area District Fazilka, Punjab”.
Giving further details, Barinder Kumar Goyal informed that the project will be carried out by Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited across an area of 48.0 square kilometres with an approved outlay of Rs.1903.11 lakh and a completion period of 21 months.
He said that as per the approved plan, the project will be reviewed after nine months. Phase-I will involve drilling of six boreholes with a total drilling meterage of 5700 metres at a grid interval of 3200 metres. Phase-II will include drilling of nine additional boreholes with a total drilling meterage of 8550 metres at a grid interval of 1600 metres in zones identified as potential after the review.
Notably, during the last January month, Punjab Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal strongly flagged the issue of potash exploration in Punjab during the three day Rashtriya Khanij Chintan Shivir-2026 held at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. He highlighted the delineation of promising potash resources in Fazilka district and called for expeditious progress on drilling and geological mapping works during Field Season 2025-26.
The Cabinet Minister urged central agencies to accord priority to potash exploration in Punjab, citing its direct linkage with national food security and farmer welfare. He stressed the need for timely action to develop a credible mineral inventory, particularly in evaporite basin areas falling within the state.
Following the request of the Punjab Government for expansion of exploration coverage, the Geological Survey of India recently proposed a reconnaissance survey for potash in Kera Khera Block and Saiyadwala Block of Fazilka district during Field Season 2026–27 along with preliminary exploration in Kandhwala Ramsra Block.
The programme includes drilling at 15 identified locations. The Cabinet Minister further requested that all proposed blocks be completed within the stipulated schedule of Field Season 2026-27 to strengthen the state’s potash resource base.
Barinder Kumar Goyal said that potash holds critical importance for the country as nearly 99 percent of the requirement is met through imports and any progress in domestic exploration and mining will support the national economy agriculture sector and long term self-reliance goals.
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