Two-Decade-Long Fertiliser Movement Ends as PM Modi to Lay Foundation Stone of Namrup Urea Project

After nearly 20 years of sustained public movement, the long-pending demand for reviving and expanding the Namrup fertiliser complex is set to be fulfilled.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the new brownfield ammonia-urea complex at Namrup on December 21, marking a historic moment for Assam’s industrial and agricultural landscape.

The new project, under Assam Valley Fertilizer & Chemical Company Limited (AVFCCL), will have an annual production capacity of 12 lakh metric tonnes of urea—almost four times the current output. The project will be implemented with a combined investment of around ₹11,000 crore by the Central and Assam governments and is expected to be completed within three years and six months.

The announcement has generated widespread enthusiasm among residents of Namrup and the entire Dibrugarh district, as well as among farmers across Assam.

A Historic Turning Point for Assam: CM Sarma

Welcoming the project, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described it as a historic milestone for the state.

“The foundation stone of the new urea project at Namrup will bring an end to a struggle that has continued for nearly two decades. This project is not just about fertiliser production; it is about reviving Assam’s industrial strength and ensuring agricultural self-reliance,” Sarma said.

Highlighting the scale of the initiative, he added:

“With an investment of around ₹11,000 crore and a capacity of 12 lakh metric tonnes, this will be one of the largest fertiliser projects in eastern India. It will create direct and indirect employment for nearly 5,000 youths and meet the fertiliser demand of Assam, the Northeast, and several other states,” the Chief Minister said.

Calling it another major industrial achievement, Sarma said:

“After the semiconductor project, the Namrup urea project is the second major industrial success of our government. It reflects strong coordination between the Centre and the state under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

Legacy of the Namrup Fertiliser Plant

Established in 1969 as part of Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation, the first production unit of the Namrup fertiliser plant began operations the same year but was shut down in 1986 after completing its lifespan. The second and third units, commissioned in 1976 and 1987 respectively, also ceased operations after their operational life expired, with the second unit closing in 2020.

Despite these setbacks, the Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL) has survived due to the relentless efforts of its workers and employees. Currently, the plant produces around 9 lakh metric tonnes of urea annually, catering significantly to the needs of Assam’s farmers.

Since 2002, various organisations and civil society groups have launched continuous movements demanding revival and expansion of the plant. In 2006, then Union Fertiliser Minister Ram Vilas Paswan laid the foundation stone for a fourth unit, but the project remained stalled for years.

New Momentum Under Present Government

The new AVFCCL project is expected not only to meet the fertiliser requirements of Assam and the Northeast, but also supply urea to several other states across the country.

Importantly, the project is projected to create employment opportunities for around 5,000 unemployed youths, both directly and indirectly.

Following the semiconductor project, the Namrup urea project is being seen as the second major industrial success of the Assam government.

Security and Preparations for PM’s Visit

In preparation for the Prime Minister’s visit, a massive pandal is being erected at Hapjan in Namrup, along with the construction of helipads and other infrastructure. A multi-layered security arrangement has been put in place under the aegis of IGPAssam Police Akhilesh Kumar Singh, with no room left for security lapses.

Prime Minister’s Extensive Assam Itinerary

In a historic first, Prime Minister Modi will visit the Assam BJP state headquarters. He will begin by paying tribute to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi and later interact with party workers at the BJP office after inaugurating the new terminal at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Borjhar.

This will be the first time in BJP’s history in Assam that a sitting Prime Minister visits the state party office, despite earlier visits by leaders such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Modi himself. The Prime Minister will be welcomed along a one-kilometre-long roadshow route.

On the second day, Modi will participate in ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’, light the Akshay Banti (eternal flame) at the Martyrs’ Memorial, visit the memorial complex, and pay homage at the statue of Khageswar Talukdar.

BJP Organisational and Political Developments

It is to be noted that the BJP State Executive Committee meeting will be held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra on December 26–27, with the presence of newly elected working president Nitin Nabin, BJP national president JP Nadda, general secretary BL Santhosh, and newly appointed Assam in-charge Baijayant Jay Panda.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Assam on December 28–29, during which he will inaugurate the Police Commissioner’s Office, a CCTV surveillance project, Eastern India’s largest auditorium, and the Bordowa development project.

Also Read: What PM Modi Will Unveil in Assam: Mega Projects, Massive Rallies and a Two-Day Power Visit