Guwahati, Sept 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Assam Bioethanol Plant, the world’s first second-generation bamboo-based ethanol facility, and laid the foundation stone for a Polypropylene Unit at Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in Golaghat, in a move that underscores Assam’s pivotal role in India’s clean energy and self-reliance mission.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said the projects represent a “significant milestone” in the journey towards a developed Assam and a developed India. “India has embarked on the path of becoming self-reliant in meeting its energy needs,” the Prime Minister declared, adding that energy and semiconductors will be two key pillars of this transformation.

The bioethanol plant, built at a cost of around ₹5,000 crore, will use five lakh tons of bamboo annually to produce nearly 50,000 tons of bioethanol, along with a range of green byproducts. These byproducts will support India’s pharmaceutical, food processing, and specialty chemical industries while creating opportunities for MSMEs and startups.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puridescribed the project as a moment of historic significance for Assam. “This is the same land which was once called the Mother of Oil Industries. India’s first refinery was established here in Digboi in 1901. Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated the world’s first second-generation bioethanol plant to the nation,” Puri said, adding that the plant would give a new impetus to innovation and industrial growth in the region.

Alongside, the polypropylene unit is expected to strengthen Assam’s petrochemical base, enabling production of plastics, fibers, and materials vital for industries such as textiles, automobiles, and healthcare. Modi said the project would reinforce the “Make in Assam” and “Make in India” vision while generating employment and downstream opportunities.

The Prime Minister further highlighted that India has now become one of the top five nations in solar power capacity, underscoring that alternative fuels like ethanol are critical to reducing dependence on fossil fuels. He stressed that the bamboo-based bioethanol initiative would directly benefit farmers and tribal communities, with the government spending nearly ₹200 crore annually in bamboo procurement and supply-chain support.

Modi placed the projects within a broader ₹18,000 crore development pushfor Assam, which includes infrastructure, education, and healthcare initiatives. He also noted Assam’s role in India’s semiconductor mission, citing the ₹27,000 crore Morigaon chiplant asas a cornerstone of the country’s electronics manufacturing future.
Beyond industry, Modi underlined Assam’s cultural resurgence, mentioning the Maa Kamakhya Corridor, renovation of historic Rang Ghar, and the transformation of Batadrava, birthplace of Srimanta Sankardev, into a global tourism hub.

“Assam is a land that strengthens both India’s energy future and its cultural identity,” Modi said. “A new era of development has begun, and Assam is poised to become a major centre for trade, tourism, and clean energy.”

Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Hardeep Singh Puri, along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, were present at the event.

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