PM Modi in presence of Assam CM inaugurates world’s first bio-ethanol plant

These projects will expedite emergence of Assam as a self-reliant and industrially developed state: CM
The projects to give a boost to both direct and indirect employments: Dr. Sarma

Dispur, September 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in presence of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, today inaugurated the world’s first 2nd generation Bio-ethanol Plant and laid foundation of Polypropylene Plant involving the project cost of Rs. 12,231 crore at Numaligarh in Golaghat district
It may be noted that the Prime Minister inaugurated the Assam Bio-Ethanol Project, the world’s first bamboo-based bio-ethanol plant set up at Numaligarh Refinery with an investment of Rs. 5,000 crore.

He also laid the foundation stone of the Polypropylene Project, to be built at a cost of Rs. 7,231 crore. The Prime Minister had close look of every aspect of the bio-ethanol plant and interacted with the officials, employees, and bamboo farmers involved with it.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said, “Today marks a golden day in Assam. In the morning, the Prime Minister has laid the foundation stone for projects worth Rs. 6,300 crore in Darrang, and later he inaugurated the Assam Bio-Ethanol Project of worth Rs. 5000 crore and laid the foundation stone of the Polypropylene Project worth Rs. 7,231 crore at Numaligarh Refinery”.

Calling the Numaligarh Refinery a symbol of Assam’s pride, the Chief Minister recalled that in 1999 former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee dedicated this refinery with an annual capacity of 3 million metric tons to serve the nation.

He said that though there had been discussions to expand the refinery, the lack of crude oil in Assam had made it impossible. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided that if crude oil was required for the expansion of Numaligarh Refinery, it would be imported from outside if necessary, to keep the refinery active.

Fulfilling that promise, crude oil was brought from Paradip in Odisha through a pipeline built at a cost of Rs. 26,000 crore, and the Prime Minister gave new life to the Numaligarh Refinery. The Chief Minister said that its refining capacity has now expanded from 3 million metric tons annually to 9 million metric tons. He remarked that it was possible only because of the Prime Minister’s initiative to ensure the supply of crude oil from Paradip through a dedicated pipeline.

He said that once Assam supplied oil to rest of the country, and today, when Assam needed oil, the Prime Minister brought it from other parts of the country to rejuvenate Assam’s refinery. On behalf of the people of Assam, he, therefore expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister.

Describing bamboo as Assam’s rich resource, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that the people of the state so far used bamboo for the household purposes. With the help of the Prime Minister, bamboo has been made an agricultural commodity from forest resource.

By converting bamboo into ethanol, the Prime Minister has changed the lives of 50,000 bamboo farmers in Assam, the Chief Minister added. He recalled that in February, under the Prime Minister’s presence, the Advantage Assam Investment and Infrastructure Summit was held where Assam signed investment agreements worth Rs. 5 lakh crore.

He remarked that under Prime Minister’s leadership, Assam is moving toward a new horizon. Alongside industrialization and development, the Prime Minister has also promoted Assam’s language and culture.

The Chief Minister highlighted several examples, including granting of classical language status to the Assamese language, recognition of Charaideo Maidams as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making Lachit Borphukan known to the world, taking Bihu and Jhumoir dance to global platforms, and participating in the birth centenary of Bhupen Hazarika. The Chief Minister sincerely believes all these steps have touched the hearts of every Assamese.
Dr. Sarma further said that in the coming days, a tunnel under the Brahmaputra connecting Golaghat district with Gohpur will be constructed along with the revival of the Namrup fertilizer plant.

Stating that Assam has now earned a new identity, he observed that the state has become the fastest developing in India, which stands as a matter of pride for every Assamese. He pointed out that Assam has already achieved several milestones in areas such as transparent recruitment and women’s empowerment.

He also thanked Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for his role in giving a new shape to the Numaligarh Refinery.

It is worth mentioning that the Assam Bio-Ethanol Project is the world’s first 2G bio-refinery to use bamboo as raw material for ethanol production. The project will produce about 49,000 tons of ethanol annually.

It will also generate other valuable products such as furfural, acetic acid, carbon dioxide, and bio-coal. Additionally, an annual market of Rs. 5 lakh tons of bamboo will emerge, creating commercial opportunities for bamboo worth Rs. 200 crore. This will expedite Assam’s endeavour of becoming self-reliant and one of the most developed states of the country.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that the 360,000-ton capacity Polypropylene Project at Numaligarh Refinery will boost domestic petrochemical production, reduce dependence on imports, and benefit the economy. The project will use world-class technology and is scheduled to start production in 2028. It will create around 200 direct and indirect employment opportunities, while also opening hundreds of jobs in areas like transportation and warehousing.

Agriculture Minister Atul Bora who gave welcome address in the programme was attended among others by Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, Labour Welfare Minister Rupesh Gowala, MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MLAs Mrinal Saikia, Biswajit Phukan, Bhabendra Nath Bharali, and host of other dignitaries.