Punjab to start potash exploration by May 2027
Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal announced that the Centre has approved 35 boreholes for the project.
Punjab is expected to commence potash exploration by the first week of May 2027, according to The Times of India. Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal announced the development on Tuesday.
The Centre has approved 35 boreholes in the Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts. Minister Goyal stated that the Punjab government will drill five more boreholes, bringing the total number of boreholes in the programme to 40.
Speaking about the National Mining Ministers’ Conference held in Goa on November 5 and 6, Goyal said the AAP government had pursued the matter with the Centre. He noted that Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy directed officials to prioritise Punjab’s proposals and assured cooperation to speed up the process.
Potash deposits were identified in parts of Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib in 1989. Goyal said that previous governments did not conduct sustained exploration, with only limited drilling occurring in recent years, such as one borehole in 2018-19 and eight in 2022-23.