ONGC's Helium plant goes on stream on 'National Technology Day'

Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, May 11 (UNI) India made this year's 'National Technology Day' more honourable with its first Helium Extraction Plant going on stream at the ONGC Kuthalam Gas Collection Station here in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu today.

The Centre has declared May 11 as the 'National Technology Day' to commemorate the Pokhran Nuclear Test, conducted by India 10 years ago.

The commissioning of the plant for the extraction of Helium from natural gas, for the first time in India, is not only a technological breakthrough but also appropriately coincided with the 'National Technology Day,' ONGC Chairman and Managing Director R S Sharma told reporters after inaugurating the plant.

The plant, set up at a cost of Rs six crore, is the first step towards making the country self-sufficient in Helium production when the whole reserve for this ''strategic'' gas is dipping and raising concerns for developing countries.

This palnt has been established by ONGC, in association with Kolkata-based Saha Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Science and Technology.

(Ed: pls pick up suitably from earlier series) UNI GV SJ AK BST1942