Guwahati, 26 September (HS): Assam has taken a significant step towards strengthening its presence in India’s green energy sector with the foundation stone being laid for a major e-methanol project at Kandla in Gujarat. Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal jointly performed the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the project being developed by Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APL) in partnership with the Deendayal Port Authority.

The project, with a production capacity of 150 tonnes per day, is being established with an investment of ₹2,300 crore and is expected to generate more than 3,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities for youths, engineers and skilled personnel.

Addressing the gathering at the Deendayal Port Authority’s exhibition area in Gandhidham, Sarma said the project would play an important role in strengthening India’s green fuel ecosystem and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. He said the e-methanol produced at the facility would be used as fuel for ships sailing from Kandla to international destinations, thereby contributing to reducing pollution from maritime transport.

The Chief Minister highlighted Assam’s long association with the energy sector, recalling the establishment of Asia’s first mechanically drilled oil well at Makum in 1867 and India’s first oil refinery at Digboi in 1901. He said Assam also has nearly five decades of experience in methanol production, with Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited at Namrup capable of producing up to 500 tonnes of methanol per day.

Sarma said Assam readily accepted Sonowal’s invitation to participate in the Kandla e-methanol project, describing the partnership as a matter of pride for the state. He expressed hope that similar green-fuel projects would be established at other ports across the country in the future.

Referring to India’s green-energy transition, Sarma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of expanding the use of green fuels was gradually being adopted across the country. He noted that Gujarat had emerged as a major centre for renewable energy and green hydrogen production.

The Chief Minister also spoke about the longstanding cultural and economic ties between Assam and Gujarat and said the partnership in the Kandla project reflected Assam’s growing industrial capabilities. He further said the development of major projects, including semiconductor manufacturing in Assam, had accelerated under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

The event was attended by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and several ministers, legislators and senior officials from Gujarat and Assam, besides Deendayal Port Authority Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh and APL Chairman Bikul Deka.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash