Assam: PM Modi to lay foundation stone of new fertiliser project at Namrup
Dibrugarh: Assam's Namrup is set to witness a historic moment as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the town on December 21 to lay the foundation stone of the long-awaited new urea fertiliser project at the Namrup Fertiliser Complex.
The project will be implemented under Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company Limited (AVFCCL) at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 11,000 crore, with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million metric tonnes of urea.
Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, the entire Namrup area has been turned into a high-security zone.
Tight security arrangements have been put in place at the public meeting venue in Hapjan, where a massive pandal capable of accommodating nearly 1.5 lakh people has been fully prepared.
Thousands of police personnel have been deployed to ensure foolproof security.
As part of the security preparations, three special helicopters of the Indian Air Force conducted trial landings on Friday at a temporary helipad constructed near the venue to ensure the safe arrival of the Prime Minister.
An aerial survey of the venue and surrounding areas was also carried out to assess security arrangements, a police official said.
Meanwhile, senior police officers under the leadership of Assam Police IGP (Law and Order) Akhilesh Singh have been holding continuous review meetings to ensure that no security lapses occur.
Entry points to the venue are being subjected to intensive checks by the Special Protection Group (SPG).
Assam’s Minister for Industries and Commerce Bimal Bora, along with Naharkatia MLA Taranga Gogoi, on Friday visited the Hapjan venue to review the final preparations.
Speaking to reporters, Bora said that after the establishment of the semiconductor industry, the new urea project would prove to be a major milestone in Assam’s industrial development.
He added that while the people faced prolonged neglect and hardship during previous regimes, the present initiative reflects the Centre’s strong commitment to the development of the Northeast under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
Managing Director of Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company, Sib Prasad Mohanty, said that the existing BVFCL plant currently produces about 0.2 million metric tonnes annually, whereas the new AVFCCL plant will have a production capacity of 1.27 million metric tonnes per year.
The project will have a shareholding structure of 40 per cent by the Assam government, 18 per cent by Oil India Limited and National Fertilisers Limited, 13 per cent by Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL), and 11 per cent by BVFCL.
BVFCL will contribute land and infrastructure, while the remaining partners will invest capital.
The project, estimated to cost Rs 10,600 crore, is expected to be completed within four years. Once operational, it will generate direct employment for around 425 people and indirect employment for nearly 2,500 others.
Mohanty also assured that existing BVFCL employees need not worry about their jobs, as they will be absorbed into the new company. Like the existing plant, the new facility will supply urea to neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.
Local MLA Taranga Gogoi stated that despite Assam having a Union fertiliser minister during earlier Congress regimes, the long-pending issues of the Namrup fertiliser plant remained unresolved.
He credited Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for ending the prolonged struggle and facilitating the establishment of the new project, which is expected to be completed within three and a half years.
Responding to controversies surrounding land acquisition for the Prime Minister’s rally, Gogoi said all rules and protocols had been followed, landowners were adequately compensated, and the agricultural land would be restored after the event.