The ancient river Saraswati might just hold a key to solve water scarcity of Rajashtan, according to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, which has launched a unique project to discover the route of the river.

Under the project, ONGC [Get Quote] in collaboration with government agency Water and Power Consultancy Services, would dig many wells in Jaisalmar, Barmer and Bikaner districts that will aid its search for water of the river, believed to have originated in the Thar desert and disappeared into present day Pakistan.

ONGC would dig 16 deep wells at several places in the desert in its search, G Bandhopadhya, WAPCOS general manager and works leader, said.

Amid chanting of mantras the project Saraswati, began on Monday in Dabla in Jaisalmer district in the presence of officials from ONGC and WAPCOS.

Based on satellite imagery by ONGC, it was found that a few thousand years ago, the river flowed from northeastern side to southwestern direction before disappearing into the desert, he said.

Even though in the past a number of agencies worked on a similar mission and even dug out many places, Bandhopadhya said ONGC would dig upto 1000 metres where others have dug till 200-250 metres only, he said.

ONGC has entrusted the operational activities to WAPCOS.

Do you want to discuss stock tips? Do you know a hot one? Join the Stock Market Investments Discussion Group