Bhubaneswar,December 07: Union Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan today wrote to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seeking cooperation and support of the State government in execution of the Rs 6,500 crore-strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) project at Chandikhole in Jajpur district.

Pradhan in his letter requested the state government for single window clearance by Industrial Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO) and consent for sourcing water and power for the much-awaited SPR project.

The Union minister also requested support and facilitation of the state government in land acquisition process and for required permissions of environment and pollution board clearances.

“The project will generate employment in the state for the five-year construction period. About 600 acre government land has been identified at Chandikhole after extensive survey of geological/rock structure. The SPR will bring in an investment of approx. Rs 6,500 crore. It would be a value-add proposition to the PCPIR, Paradip and contribute to the creation of a petroleum hub in Odisha,” the letter stated

Earlier the Joint Secretary of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, Sunjay Sudhir had held discussions with the Chief Secretary of Odisha over the initiation of the project.