HT Bureau
DIBRUGARH, Dec 19: Namrup is set to witness a landmark moment on December 21 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the long-awaited new urea fertiliser project at the Namrup Fertiliser Complex, marking a major boost to Assam’s industrial and agricultural landscape.
The project will be implemented under Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company Limited (AVFCCL) with an estimated investment of nearly ₹11,000 crore and an annual production capacity of around 1.2 million metric tonnes of urea.
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Once operational, the plant is expected to significantly enhance fertiliser availability in the region while strengthening Assam’s role in the national fertiliser network.
Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, Namrup has been placed under tight security cover.
Extensive arrangements have been made at the public meeting venue in Hapjan, where a massive pandal with a capacity of nearly 1.5 lakh people has been readied.
Thousands of police personnel have been deployed to ensure comprehensive security.
As part of the preparations, three Indian Air Force helicopters conducted trial landings on Friday at a temporary helipad near the venue, while an aerial survey was carried out to assess security arrangements, a senior police official said.
Continuous review meetings are being held by senior officers under the leadership of Assam Police IGP (Law and Order) Akhilesh Singh to prevent any security lapses.
Entry points to the venue are being subjected to intensive checks by the Special Protection Group.
On Friday, Minister for Industries and Commerce Bimal Bora, accompanied by Naharkatia MLA Taranga Gogoi, inspected the Hapjan venue to review the final arrangements. Bora told reporters that following the establishment of the semiconductor industry in Assam, the new urea fertiliser plant would be another major milestone in the state’s industrial development.
He said the project reflects the Centre’s strong commitment to the Northeast under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, contrasting it with what he described as years of neglect under previous regimes.
AVFCCL Managing Director Sib Prasad Mohanty said the existing BVFCL plant currently produces about 0.2 million metric tonnes of urea annually, while the new plant will have a capacity of approximately 1.27 million metric tonnes per year.
He said the project, estimated to cost ₹10,600 crore, is expected to be completed within four years.
According to Mohanty, the shareholding structure of AVFCCL will include 40 per cent equity from the Assam government, 18 per cent each from Oil India Limited and National Fertilisers Limited, 13 per cent from Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Limited, and 11 per cent from BVFCL.
BVFCL will provide land and infrastructure, while the remaining partners will invest capital.
He added that existing BVFCL employees would be absorbed into the new company and need not worry about job security.
The project is expected to generate direct employment for around 425 people and indirect employment for nearly 2,500 others.
Like the existing facility, the new plant will also supply urea to neighbouring countries including Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.
MLA Taranga Gogoi said that despite Assam having a Union Fertiliser Minister during earlier Congress governments, the long-pending issues related to the Namrup fertiliser plant remained unresolved.
He credited Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for resolving the prolonged stalemate and facilitating the new project, which he said is expected to be completed within three and a half years.
Addressing concerns over land acquisition for the Prime Minister’s rally, Gogoi said all norms and procedures had been followed, landowners were adequately compensated and the agricultural land would be restored after the event.
