‘No-go’ to ‘go ahead’ areas: PM Modi hails ‘Samrudha Manthan’ for deep-sea exploration in Independence Day speech

On Independence Day, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the transformation in India's coastal waters from being considered "no-go areas" to now serving as "go-ahead areas" for deep-sea exploration. This change, he noted, stemmed from a previous flawed mindset that had precluded offshore exploration. Addressing the nation from the Red Fort in New Delhi, Modi expressed that the 99 percent of India's coastal waters previously deemed off-limits are now being actively pursued for exploration and the discovery of new reserves.

Under the Samrudha Manthan initiative, launched last year, the government aims to expedite offshore exploration and the unlocking of vast untapped hydrocarbon potential in India's offshore basins. Speaking about energy security, Modi pointed out the country's shift from piped gas being available in only 70 cities in 2014 to its current reach in 700 cities. This expansion, he emphasized, underscores the pace and scale of progress made in the country.

India, the third-largest consumer of crude oil globally, faces significant challenges in meeting its energy demands. Recent disruptions in oil and gas supply due to conflicts have underscored the importance of increasing domestic production. The Central Government's Samudra Manthan initiative, approved on July 31, 2026, with a Phase-I outlay of ₹84,084 crore up to FY 2030-31, aims to bolster the hydrocarbon exploration and production sector.

With its offshore basins extending to depths of up to 3,000 meters, India's eastern and western offshore basins are estimated to hold over 5,600 MMTOE (Million Metric Tonnes of Oil Equivalent) of hydrocarbon potential.