Commercial crude oil production has begun at the Baigachi oilfield in Ashoknagar, North 24-Parganas, operated by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). The first shipment, comprising 1,200 litres of crude oil, was transported by tanker to Haldia on Sunday, marking a significant step in the development of the field.

West Bengal BJP president and Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya inspected the oil extraction project and said its operations would attract investment and create employment opportunities. He said the project’s socio-economic impact would extend beyond Ashoknagar and benefit the wider state once production became fully operational.

Bhattacharya said he had pursued the project for four years by raising the issue in Parliament and following it up with the Petroleum Ministry and ONGC. During his visit, he told officials that there would be no political interference in the management or operations of the oilfield, and that elected representatives and political workers should not intervene in its functioning.

He also alleged that the previous state government had delayed the project. Referring to the Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) required for extraction, Bhattacharya said the Petroleum Minister had informed him that 19 letters were sent to successive West Bengal Chief Ministers without receiving a response. According to him, the Centre has invested Rs. 11 bn in Ashoknagar so far.

The BJP leader said the project could generate substantial employment and support economic activity in the region. He added that he had raised the Ashoknagar issue during parliamentary sessions through Zero Hour, special mentions and debates, and had maintained regular contact with the Petroleum Ministry regarding its progress.