New Delhi, Mar 25: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has emphasized the urgent need for strengthening India’s energy security in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global oil supply chains.

Speaking about the upcoming Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) project in Chandikhole, Jajpur district, he highlighted its importance for both national energy resilience and Odisha’s economic growth.

“At present, the entire world is going through a complex situation. Especially in the Middle East region, the ongoing devastating war and geopolitical instability have created a major threat to the global economy,” Pradhan said, stressing that India must prepare for supply shocks.

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He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had foreseen such risks years ago, leading to the decision to expand India’s strategic petroleum reserves.

Slamming former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Pradhan said: “In 2018, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of a 4 million metric ton (MMT) SPR facility at Chandikhole. However, despite initial communication with Odisha’s then CM Naveen Patnaik, the project did not progress under the BJD government.”

The breakthrough came in April 2025, when a BJP-led government in Odisha facilitated a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IPICOL, the Odisha government, and Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL). “The agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi,” recalled the Union Education Minister, who was also present during the signing of the agreement.

He explained that the Chandikhole SPR project, with an estimated investment of ₹8,743 crore, will be the world’s largest underground crude oil storage facility. It is expected to create over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, boost ancillary industries, and strengthen Paradip’s role as a petroleum hub.

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“This project will not only secure India’s energy future but also accelerate Odisha’s GDP growth through royalties, industrial expansion, and local employment,” Union Minister Pradhan claimed.

Currently, India’s SPR capacity stands at 5.33 MMT, covering about 9.5 days of crude oil requirements. The addition of Chandikhole’s 4 MMT reserve will extend this buffer by another 7.12 days, providing critical protection against global supply disruptions.

“In times of war, pandemics, or supply chain breakdowns, this reserve will act as a protective shield for the nation,” Pradhan remarked.

He further emphasized that the project aligns with Mission Purvodaya, the central government’s vision to transform eastern India into a major industrial and economic growth driver. “Odisha, with its strategic location and industrial base, is set to play a pivotal role in this mission,” the Union Minister claimed.

Pradhan also pointed out the broader economic benefits: increased state revenue from mining royalties, growth in transport and hospitality sectors, and accelerated infrastructure development. “Odisha will emerge as a key contributor to India’s energy security, ensuring stable prices and uninterrupted availability of petroleum products for citizens,” he said.

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The Chandikhole SPR project is being seen as a timely intervention amid volatile global oil markets. With Middle East conflicts disrupting supply chains and pushing up prices, India’s move to expand reserves is expected to safeguard its economy against external shocks.

“I have written to both Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging swift completion of the project,” said the Union Education Minister. “Energy security is our top priority. This facility will ensure uninterrupted availability of petroleum products, stabilize prices, and protect our national economy,” he concluded after meeting Puri to review progress.