QUETTA: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources would execute two new projects worth Rs190 million for coal exploration and evaluation in different localities of Balochistan besides carrying out a survey for underground water in Quetta.
“Out of total Rs190.033 million estimated cost, an amount of Rs88.023 million has been allocated to carry out two new schemes for coal exploration and evaluation in Nosham and Bahlol areas of Balochistan, and the underground water survey,” official sources said.
They said the ministry would spend Rs554.291 million, under the PSDP 2017-18, to execute four ongoing and two new projects to step up exploration activities of natural resources for achieving self-reliance in the energy sector. An amount of Rs415.807 has been earmarked to acquire four drilling rigs and their accessories for the Geological Survey, while Rs37.977m would be spent on appraisal of newly discovered coal resources in Badin and its adjoining areas.
The funds amounting to Rs8.992 million would be utilised in exploration and evaluation of metallic and minerals in Bela and Uthal areas of district Lasbella, Balochistan. Similarly, Rs3.492 million has been reserved for exploration of Tertiary Coal in the Central Salt Range of Punjab.
