New Delhi, 21 December (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the ₹10,600 crore Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project of Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited at Namrup in Dibrugarh district, marking a historic revival of the region's industrial legacy and underscoring his government's commitment to farmers' welfare.
Addressing a large public gathering, PM Modi bowed to Assam's sacred soil, hailing it as the land of heroes like Chaolung Sukhapa, Mahaveer Lachit Borphukan, Bhimbar Deuri, Shaheed Kushal Kunwar, Moran King Bodousa, Malati Mem, Indira Miri, and Swargadeo Sarbananda Singh. He expressed deep gratitude for the affection from the crowd, particularly mothers and sisters bearing the fragrance of Assam's tea gardens, which he said creates a unique bond with the state.
PM Modi described the day as historic for Assam and the entire Northeast, fulfilling Namrup and Dibrugarh's long-cherished dream with a new chapter of industrial progress. He noted performing the bhoomi pujan earlier and inaugurating Guwahati Airport's new terminal, affirming Assam's newfound development momentum under the Union and state governments' synergy of industry and connectivity.
This, he said, inspires youth to dream bigger, with new industries, modern infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, agricultural opportunities, tea garden advancement, and tourism potential propelling every sector forward.
Emphasizing farmers' crucial role in Viksit Bharat, Modi stated his government prioritizes their interests through farmer-friendly schemes ensuring continuous fertilizer supply. The Namrup plant, with ₹11,000 crore investment, will produce over 12 lakh metric tonnes annually, enabling faster local supply and reduced logistics costs while generating thousands of direct jobs, permanent employment upon commissioning, and opportunities in repair, supply, and ancillary activities for local youth.
PM Modi questioned why such initiatives emerged only after his government's formation, recalling Namrup's past role as a fertilizer hub strengthening Northeast fields amid national shortages. Previous administrations neglected outdated technology, shutting units and distressing farmers, but his governments are now resolving these issues alongside reviving plants in Gorakhpur, Sindri, Barauni, and Ramagundam while encouraging private sector involvement.
Urea production has risen from 225 lakh metric tonnes in 2014 to nearly 306 lakh today, nearing the 380 lakh annual need, with subsidies shielding farmers—selling bags at ₹300 despite ₹3,000 import costs.
From seed to market, PM Modi affirmed direct financial support via PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (₹4 lakh crore disbursed), two new ₹35,000 crore schemes—PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana and Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission—crop insurance, improved procurement, Kisan Credit Cards extended to livestock and fish farmers (over ₹10 lakh crore aid this year), GST cuts on bio-fertilizers, National Mission on Natural Farming, 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations, and Northeast oil palm mission for edible oil self-reliance.
PM Modi highlighted opening Jan Dhan accounts for 7.5 lakh Assam tea garden workers, enabling direct aid transfers alongside expanded schools, roads, electricity, water, and hospitals. Under Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, 25 crore people escaped poverty in 11 years, birthing a neo-middle class; rural poorest families now see nearly half owning bikes or cars, near-universal mobiles, refrigerators in kitchens, and rising TV ownership—empowering even remote areas.
PM Modi asserted his governments prioritize the poor, tribals, youth, and women, ending Northeast violence while elevating Assam's identity through a 125-foot Lachit Borphukan statue, Bhupen Hazarika's birth centenary, global promotion of arts, crafts, and Gamosa—even gifting Assam black tea to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He criticized opposition discomfort, their opposition to Hazarika's Bharat Ratna (with the party president's remark insulting Assam's heritage), semiconductor units, and tea community land rights—now granted for dignity—while pushing anti-national infiltration for vote banks, opposing voter list purification. BJP, he vowed, stands like a shield protecting Assam from appeasement politics.
PM Modi envisioned Eastern India, especially Northeast, as growth engines, with Namrup fertilizer serving Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, positioning the region as self-reliant India's Asthalakshmi. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal attended.
The brownfield project within Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited premises will reduce imports, boost employment, and catalyze economic growth, aligning with Modi's farmers' welfare vision.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
