Bundelkhand in central India sitting on natural gas deposits? Methane, helium gases leaking from

tube-wells in four districts

Backward region of Bundelkhand seems to be sitting on huge deposits of natural gases, as methane

and helium gases have been leaking from tube-wells at a stretch of 150 km spread over four

districts.

After recharging of tube-wells following good rainfall, the villagers have laid down pipelines and are

using the gas as fuel for cooking. Though it could prove disastrous, janpad panchayat representatives

said they have informed the administration. But, Sagar district collector Vikesh Narwal is clueless

about it. "I joined six months ago .I will find out about it," he told TOI.

However, Arun Kumar Shandilya, a professor of applied geology in Dr Hari Singh Gaur University,

Sagar, has been raising the issue for past over two decades. "It is happening in more than 50 tube-

wells over a stretch of 150 km in Vidisha, Sagar, Damoh and Panna districts. I have already intimated

the Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas, Oil And Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), director

general, hydrocarbons, and Geological Survey of India (GSI) about it," he told TOI.

Shandilya first got the samples of gases tested with ONGC and later at National Geophysical

Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad. "When the phenomenon is taking place across a long stretch

of 150 km it means something," the professor said. Villagers realised the inflammatory nature of the

gases when it triggered fire in water. This led to a dangerous trend of using these gases for cooking

purpose. Many villagers in Banda tehsil of Sagar laid down gas pipelines. The pipes were attached to

the tube-well from where the gases were leaking while the stoves are also attached with a long

piece of pipe. To switch on the gas supply, the two pipes are attached. When the two pipes are

detached, the gas supply to the stove stops.

Devi Singh of Khiriya village said, "The moment I light a match stick, it catches fire. I have been using

the gas for cooking and for any other purpose where fire is required." "I know it is dangerous and we

have tried to convince the villagers not to play with fire," said Dev Prashant Singh, janpad panchayat

president of Banda panchayat. Officials of the administration have already been informed, he said.

NGS INDIA