Cabinet Approves ₹84,000 Crore 'Samudra Manthan' Oil & Gas Mission

The Union Cabinet has approved the ₹84,000 crore 'Samudra Manthan' programme to boost India's offshore oil and gas exploration and production. Announcing the decision, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the mission includes ₹28,000 crore for offshore seismic data acquisition to scientifically identify high-potential hydrocarbon reserves and ₹43,000 crore for an accelerated offshore exploration scheme. The initiative aims to strengthen India's energy security, increase domestic oil and gas production, reduce import dependence, and save significant foreign exchange by expanding exploration in offshore areas.