Dibrugarh: The Namrup Fertiliser Surakshya United Forum welcomed the new urea fertiliser plant in Namrup and asserted that it will bring industrialisation to Assam.
“We are very happy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the new urea plant in Namrup on December 21, with an estimated cost of nearly ₹11,000 crore and an annual production capacity of 1.2 million metric tonnes of urea. However, we are also concerned about the functioning of the Namrup-III plant, as it has already crossed its lifespan. It has been running for the last 38 years and is currently producing 900 metric tonnes of urea per day,” said Tileswar Bora, president of the Namrup Fertiliser Surakshya United Forum.
He said, “Recently, Project Development India Limited (PDIL) conducted a survey at the Namrup-III plant and found that it can continue to function and produce urea for at least another 10 years if repair work is undertaken. We have already submitted a proposal of ₹500 crore to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers for the revival of the existing plant. The livelihood of over 400 workers is associated with the existing plant, and if it suddenly breaks down, it will create serious problems for the workers.”
“We welcome the government’s decision to set up the new urea plant, but the government should also look after the existing plant. We urge the government to release funds for the repair work of the existing plant. We are hopeful that the government will look into the matter,” Bora said.
He added, “It will take another six to seven years for the new urea plant to become operational, and if a breakdown occurs at the Namrup-III plant during this period, what will happen to the future of the workers of BVFCL?”
The new urea plant will be implemented under Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company Limited (AVFCCL).
“There is a huge shortage of urea in India. Currently, the country faces a shortage of around 80 lakh metric tonnes, and farmers are forced to purchase urea at higher prices from the market. We also have to import urea from other countries at higher costs,” Bora said.
Bora further added, “We thank MLA Taranga Gogoi for showing interest in this matter and taking the initiative for the revival of the existing Namrup-III plant.”
Managing Director of Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company, Sib Prasad Mohanty, said that the existing BVFCL plant currently produces about 0.2 million metric tonnes annually, whereas the new AVFCCL plant will have a production capacity of 1.27 million metric tonnes per year.
The project will have a shareholding structure of 40 per cent by the Assam government, 18 per cent by Oil India Limited and National Fertilisers Limited, 13 per cent by Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL), and 11 per cent by BVFCL. BVFCL will contribute land and infrastructure, while the remaining partners will invest capital.
The project, estimated to cost ₹10,600 crore, is expected to be completed within four years. Once operational, it will generate direct employment for around 425 people and indirect employment for nearly 2,500 others.
Mohanty also assured that existing BVFCL employees need not worry about their jobs, as they will be absorbed into the new company. Like the existing plant, the new facility will supply urea to neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.
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