New Delhi, March 27 -- After a three-month survey in the Ganga basin, ONGC has confirmed crude oil reserves at a depth of 3,000 metres in Ballia, media reports said.

The discovery was made on land owned by the family of Chittu Pandey, a prominent freedom fighter. ONGC has secured a three-year lease for six-and-a-half acres from the Pandey family, paying an annual rent of Rs.10 lakh, according to a Times Now report.

Drilling operations have commenced, requiring 25,000 litres of water daily, and are expected to conclude by April 2025.

ONGC officials stated that if the project proves successful, additional wells will be drilled at other identified locations within the 300-km crude oil belt extending from Sagarpali in Ballia to Phaphamau i...