HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, July 20: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday performed the Bhoomi Poojan for the expansion of the Purabi Dairy processing plant at Panjabari, Guwahati, marking a major milestone in the state’s efforts to boost its dairy sector.
The foundation-laying ceremony, organised by the West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd (WAMUL), signals the beginning of a Rs 104 crore expansion project that aims to double the plant’s processing capacity—from 1.5 lakh litres per day (LLPD) to 3 LLPD.
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The event was attended by a host of senior dignitaries including Assam cooperation minister Jogen Mohan, animal husbandry and veterinary minister Krishnendu Paul, Assam chief secretary Ravi Kota, and chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Dr Meenesh Shah, among others.
According to an official release, the expansion is being carried out in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between WAMUL and NDDB during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit held in February this year.
The initiative is a key component of the Assam Dairy Development Plan (ADDP), which envisions the processing of 10 lakh litres of milk per day in the state’s formal dairy sector.
Addressing the gathering, chief minister Sarma stated that the project was a crucial step toward a self-reliant Assam in dairy production, noting that the expanded facility would enhance market access for dairy farmers, particularly in rural areas, while ensuring greater nutritional security for consumers across the state.
“The expansion of the Purabi Dairy plant is a crucial step towards realising our vision of a self-reliant Assam in the dairy sector. By doubling the processing capacity of this plant, we are not only ensuring better market access for a larger number of dairy farmers in the state but also enhancing nutritional security for our people,” the Chief Minister said.
He lauded NDDB and WAMUL for their sustained efforts in strengthening Assam’s dairy ecosystem and supporting rural livelihoods.
Dr Meenesh Shah, chairman of NDDB and WAMUL, said that the expansion reflects the success of the cooperative model in dairy development.
“This is a momentous occasion for Purabi Dairy and the cooperative families we represent. With this expansion, we are building the capacity needed to support a growing dairy network, improving milk collection, streamlining processing, and reaching more consumers across the region,” he said.
The expansion will not only double the milk processing capacity, but also significantly enhance the product line.
As per the official release, pasteurised pouch milk production is set to rise from 1.15 LLPD to 2.0 LLPD.
The facility will also include a new ice cream production unit with a daily capacity of 20 thousand litres, expandable to 30 thousand litres, and additional dairy product processing of 70 thousand litres per day.
Once operational, the plant will become a hub of modern dairy processing in the Northeast, with upgraded facilities designed to meet rising consumer demand while improving operational efficiency.
The Panjabari unit is already the largest dairy processing plant in the region, operating under the Purabi Dairy brand managed by WAMUL.
This is not the first upgrade the plant has undergone. It was previously modernised and expanded from 60,000 litres per day to 1.5 LLPD under the World Bank-funded APART project, which spurred rapid growth in distribution and nearly 100% utilisation of installed capacity within 18 months of its inauguration.
That surge in demand and performance paved the way for the current expansion.
The latest upgrade is being seen as a testament to the growing popularity of Purabi Dairy products and increasing consumer trust in Assam’s cooperative dairy movement.
With the foundation now laid, the project is expected to generate not just greater milk processing capacity, but also additional employment opportunities and rural income generation across Assam.
The expansion reflects a long-term strategic investment in Assam’s dairy infrastructure and represents a model of cooperative success backed by strong institutional support, government vision, and farmer participation.
