Fazilka/Chandigarh, February 6:
Punjab’s Mining and Water Resources Minister, Barinder Kumar Goyal, has announced a significant potash discovery in three blocks of southwest Punjab, positioning the state as a leader in mineral exploration. This discovery has the potential to significantly benefit both India and Punjab.
Minister Goyal, addressing a press conference, explained that India currently imports 5 million tonnes of potash annually, used primarily in fertilizers and industrial applications. The newly discovered reserves in the Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka districts make Punjab the first state in India with substantial potash deposits. The key locations include the Kabarwala block (Muktsar Sahib), the Sherewala & Ramsara block (Fazilka), and the Shergarh & Dalmir Khera block (Fazilka).
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No Land Acquisition, Environmentally Safe Extraction:
Minister Goyal reassured the public that the potash extraction will not involve any land acquisition, protecting agricultural land. An advanced drilling system will be used, ensuring zero impact on land ownership. The government is also conducting a thorough environmental and social impact assessment before commencing operations.
He added that the mining industry will create new employment opportunities and stimulate regional economic development. The potash deposits are located at a depth of 450 meters, and preliminary surveys suggest potential reserves in adjacent areas, prompting further exploration.
Economic Benefits for Punjab:
Minister Goyal emphasized that this discovery aligns with Arvind Kejriwal’s vision of making Punjab economically self-reliant through mining. While auctioning rights belong to the Central Government, the royalty revenue will go directly to Punjab. The state government has already approved mining in the Kabarwala block, and extraction will begin after the Central Government’s auction process.
Future Plans and Revenue Generation:
Minister Goyal revealed that the three potash blocks cover approximately 18 square kilometers, with further exploration planned for surrounding areas. He also shared that Punjab generated ₹288 crore from sand and gravel mining in 2024, with 104 new mining sites soon to become operational. Additionally, 27 locations along Punjab’s rivers have been identified for sand mining to further boost state revenue.
Minister Goyal was accompanied by several officials and dignitaries at the press conference, including MLAs Narinder Pal Singh Sawna (Fazilka), Amandeep Singh Goldy Musafir (Balluana), and Jagdeep Goldy Kamboj (Jalalabad); Director of Mining Abhijeet Kaplish; Geological Survey of India Director Soyam Ranjan Mahapatra; Deputy Commissioner Amarpreet Kaur Sandhu; SSP Varinder Singh Brar; Executive Engineer Jagsir Singh; and Supervising Engineer Rajan Dhingra. Earlier in the day, Minister Goyal inspected the potash reserve sites in Sherewala and Shergarh villages.
