Critics of the Samudra Manthan mission raise concerns about the massive financial outlay and the inherent risks associated with deep-sea exploration. With an investment of ₹84,084 crore, some analysts question whether these funds might be better allocated toward accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources. As the world shifts toward decarbonization, heavy reliance on fossil fuel extraction in frontier basins could lead to 'stranded assets'—investments that become unprofitable or obsolete before they can provide a full return. The high cost of deepwater drilling, which can reach billions of dollars for a single project, places a significant burden on state-owned enterprises like ONGC, potentially impacting their balance sheets if exploration yields are lower than projected.
There are also significant environmental and operational concerns. Deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling in sensitive marine ecosystems carry the risk of catastrophic accidents, which could have devastating consequences for coastal communities and marine biodiversity. Critics argue that the push for rapid exploration, characterized by the urgency to mobilize rigs within 80 days, may prioritize speed over rigorous environmental safeguards. Furthermore, the technical challenges of drilling at depths of up to 3,000 meters are immense, and the history of offshore exploration is littered with projects that faced massive cost overruns and technical failures that were never fully recouped.
Finally, skeptics point out that domestic production increases may not necessarily translate into lower energy prices for the public, as oil is a globally traded commodity. Even if India succeeds in boosting its domestic output, the price of fuel will likely remain tied to international market benchmarks. This leads to a debate about whether the government's focus should be on aggressive extraction or on demand-side management and energy efficiency. By doubling down on traditional hydrocarbon exploration, the policy may be missing an opportunity to lead in the global energy transition, potentially leaving the country tethered to an aging energy model while competitors invest in the technologies of the future.