Assam Chief Minister takes stock of India’s first bamboo-based ethanol project

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took stock of the development of the bamboo-based ethanol project at Numaligarh Refinery in Golaghat district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled visit to Assam in September to inaugurate it as India’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant.

The ethanol project is being developed with an investment of Rs 4,000 crore. The Chief Minister chaired a high-level review meeting with NRL officials, cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs, and senior government officers to assess the status of the ethanol project and other expansion activities at the refinery.

Sarma also evaluated the preparedness for the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit, during which the ethanol plant will be formally dedicated to the nation.

In addition to the project review, CM Sarma inaugurated the newly constructed Dhansiri Nagar Township, developed to provide residential facilities for NRL staff.

Prominent dignitaries present at the meeting included Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, PHE Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, Minister for Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare Rupesh Gowala, MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, and MLAs Bhabendra Nath Bharali, Mrinal Saikia, and Biswajit Phukan.

The bamboo-based ethanol plant is a significant step in India’s push towards sustainable and green energy solutions. Once operational, it will mark a major milestone in utilizing the region’s abundant bamboo resources for clean fuel production.

Numaligarh Refinergy has been on the forefront of the renewable energy development. It has recently partnered with NTPC to develop ‘advance biofuels’ in the country. NRL is actively expanding its refinery capacity in alignment with India’s net-zero targets, channeling investments into eco-friendly ventures. These include as bamboo-based 2G-ethanol, high-value chemicals, and a green hydrogen plant.

Bamboo is emerging as a  new but powerful source of green energy development. Last year, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha said that Reliance Industries is exploring possibilities of setting up a bamboo ethanol plant in Tripura.