With a focus on promoting clean energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Assam Bioethanol Plant and laid the foundation stone for a polypropylene plant at Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in Golaghat, Assam.
Addressing a public gathering, the Prime Minister extended greetings to the people of Assam on the occasion of Sharodiya Durga Puja and paid tribute to the revered spiritual figure Srimanta Sankardev and other Gurujanas on his birth anniversary.
Modi noted the affection he receives during his visits to the Northeast, describing Assam as a land of warmth and belonging. He expressed gratitude for the public’s continuous support and affection.
He announced that projects worth approximately ₹18,000 crore have been allocated to Assam. Earlier in the day, he laid the foundation stones for connectivity and health-related projects in Darrang. At the Golaghat event, he inaugurated and laid foundations for projects related to energy security, further bolstering Assam’s development journey.
Highlighting Assam’s role in strengthening India’s energy capabilities, the Prime Minister noted that petroleum products from the state play a key role in national progress. He emphasized that the government is committed to taking this strength to new heights.
He inaugurated a modern bamboo-based bioethanol plant and laid the foundation stone for a new polypropylene facility. The Prime Minister said these projects would fuel industrial growth, create employment opportunities for youth and farmers, and accelerate Assam’s development.
Modi noted that India is currently the world’s fastest-growing major economy, and the demand for electricity, fuel, and gas is rapidly rising. He stressed that India has long been dependent on energy imports, spending lakhs of crores of rupees annually, which benefits other countries’ economies. He asserted that this situation must change and reiterated the government’s push for energy self-reliance.
He recalled his “Samudra Manthan” initiative, announced during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, which aims to explore untapped oil and gas reserves in Indian seas. The newly launched National Deepwater Exploration Mission is a step in that direction. At the same time, India is expanding its capacity in green and renewable energy.
He highlighted the country’s rapid progress in solar energy, noting that India now ranks among the world’s top five countries in solar power generation—a significant shift from a decade ago.
“In the changing times, India requires alternative fuels to reduce dependence on oil and gas,” he said, pointing to ethanol as a viable solution. He shared that the new bamboo-based ethanol plant inaugurated in Assam would significantly benefit farmers and tribal communities.
To support the bioethanol plant, the government is working to ensure a stable supply of bamboo by assisting local farmers in cultivation and direct procurement. Small bamboo chipping units will be set up in the region. Modi announced that approximately ₹200 crore will be spent annually in this sector, benefiting thousands of people.
He noted that under previous governments, cutting bamboo could lead to imprisonment, even though it was integral to the lives of tribal communities. The current government removed this restriction, enabling bamboo to become a driver of economic benefit in the Northeast.
Modi also explained the importance of polypropylene in daily life, stating that it is essential for manufacturing products like buckets, chairs, bags, textiles, medical kits, and even automotive parts. The new polypropylene plant in Assam will further strengthen the “Make in Assam” and “Make in India” missions and support other manufacturing industries in the region.
He said just as Assam is famous for its traditional Gamosa and Eri and Muga silk, the state will now also be known for its polypropylene-based textiles.
Reinforcing Assam’s role in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign, the Prime Minister announced that the state will host a major national initiative—the Semiconductor Mission. He shared that Assam has been selected because of its proven capabilities, citing the global recognition of Assam Tea.
He emphasized that energy and semiconductors are two critical pillars of India’s self-reliance. A ₹27,000 crore semiconductor factory is currently being built in Morigaon, which will position Assam as a key player in the electronics sector.
Modi criticized the opposition for slow development and neglect of Assam’s cultural heritage during its decades in power. He said the current government is integrating Assam’s traditions with modernity and reversing years of neglect and separatism.
He pointed to the national recognition given to the legacy of Lachit Borphukan, including the celebration of his 400th birth anniversary and the unveiling of his statue in Jorhat. He said these efforts represent a commitment to honoring the true heroes of Assam who were previously overlooked.
Citing the restoration work at the historic Rang Ghar in Sivasagar and the development of Batadrava—birthplace of Srimanta Sankardev—into a world-class tourism site, Modi also announced the Maa Kamakhya Corridor project. He drew parallels to the redevelopment of Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Mahakal Lok, underscoring his government’s focus on cultural preservation and tourism growth.
He emphasized that expanding tourism would create jobs for Assam’s youth and strengthen the local economy.
Modi also addressed the issue of illegal infiltration, accusing the previous government of encouraging encroachments for vote-bank politics. He said the current government is working with the people of Assam to reclaim land and grant rightful land pattas to tribal families under initiatives like Mission Basundhara. Land rights for communities like the Ahom, Koch Rajbongshi, and Gorkhas have also been acknowledged in tribal areas.
He stated that the government is correcting historical injustices faced by tribal communities and is committed to inclusive development guided by the principle of “Nagrik Devo Bhava”—ensuring citizens are not burdened in accessing basic rights.
Criticizing the previous regime for neglecting the poor, he said their governance focused on appeasement, while the current government ensures that no individual or region is left behind. Over 20 lakh houses have been provided to the poor in Assam, and the mission to supply tap water to every household is progressing swiftly.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the lives of tea garden workers, particularly women and children. Welfare programs are being implemented to address maternal and infant health, as well as education. In contrast to the previous era when tea workers were at the mercy of estate management, he said the current administration is investing heavily in housing, water, electricity, and healthcare.
“A new era of development has begun in Assam,” the Prime Minister declared, “and the state is poised to become a hub for trade and tourism.”
He concluded his address by reaffirming the collective resolve to build a developed Assam and a developed India, extending his best wishes for the state’s future.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Hardeep Singh Puri, and other dignitaries were present at the event.
