Panaji: A leading Indian scientific laboratory will take up a major exercise in Maharashtra's Karad area to study reservoir-triggered earthquakes in Koyna region.
"The Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, intends to drill a scientific research well of 3000m depth in the Koyna region in Maharashtra," a senior official from Goa-based National Centre for Antartic and Oceanic Research (NCAOR) told PTI.
"The purpose of the well is to facilitate scientific studies on reservoir-triggered earthquakes occurring in this region, and is not meant for commercial activities," he added.
The official said the drilling project is a prestigious scientific effort of the central government aimed at creating a niche capability for India in the field of earthquake research globally.
The NCAOR has called for expression of interest from private agencies that would be interested to take up drilling work.
The meeting of all the agencies and interested bidders have been called on March 30 at?Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), at Karad to discuss all issues and requirements for the project.
The NCAOR official said that drilling has to be carried out through basalt and granite-gneiss rock formations.
After 3,000 metre deep well, the research will be followed by other scientific well or wells up to depth of 5 km in Koyna region, he said.
"The Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory set up at Karad (near Koyna) will be co-ordinating all the project related activities," the official added.
