New Delhi/ Guwahati, Dec 21 (UNI) Laying the foundation stone for a large ammonia-urea fertilizer plant at Namrup in Dibrugarh district of Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the northeast region of India which has been in the periphery of the India growth story for a very long time has transformed into its focal point in the last few years.
The ambitious project, to be developed by Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited with an investment of nearly Rs 11,000 crore, is being seen as a cornerstone initiative for strengthening fertilizer availability not only in Assam but across the entire Northeastern region.
With an annual production capacity exceeding 12 lakh metric tonnes when it is fully operational, the new plant is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring uninterrupted and timely supply of urea to farmers. For decades, the Northeast has depended heavily on fertilizer supplies transported from distant parts of the country, often leading to delays and higher costs during peak agricultural seasons. The Namrup project addresses this long-standing challenge by bringing large-scale fertilizer manufacturing closer to the farms it serves.
Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister described the project as a symbol of India’s commitment to balanced development and regional equity. Improved road, rail, air, and inland waterway connectivity has laid the foundation for industrial expansion, while policy reforms have encouraged private and public sector investments in the region, he said.
The Prime Minister also stressed that agriculture remains central to India’s economic and social stability. He said the government is working on multiple fronts to empower farmers — from improving access to quality inputs and modern technology to ensuring fair prices and income security. Strengthening domestic fertilizer production, he noted, is essential to shielding Indian farmers from global price volatility and supply chain disruptions.
Beyond boosting farm productivity, the Namrup fertilizer project is expected to generate widespread economic benefits. Thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities will be created during the construction phase and after commissioning. The project is likely to stimulate growth in supporting sectors such as logistics, transportation, maintenance services, engineering, and small local enterprises, providing a sustained economic push to Upper Assam.
The initiative is also expected to bring renewed momentum to Assam’s industrial ecosystem, which has historically played a vital role in the region through tea, oil, and petrochemicals. By reviving large-scale manufacturing at Namrup, the project reinforces Assam’s position as a strategic industrial hub in Eastern India and aligns with broader efforts to diversify the state’s economic base.
For rural communities and tea garden workers, improved fertilizer availability is expected to translate into better crop yields and greater income stability.
As India moves towards greater self-reliance in critical sectors, the Namrup fertilizer plant stands out as a forward-looking initiative that connects national priorities with regional aspirations. It represents not just an infrastructure investment, but a long-term commitment to farmers, employment generation, and the economic resurgence of Assam and the Northeast.
Northeast is no more on the periphery but the focal point of India’s growth story: PM Modi
