Dibrugarh: Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APL) has begun preliminary works for its proposed 150 TPD e-methanol project at Kandla Port, Gujarat, marking a significant step in the state’s industrial expansion beyond its borders.
The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA).
APL Chairman Bikul Chandra Deka stated that the Rs 1,200 crore project is progressing steadily, with 150 acres of land already allotted by the DPA. On February 22, a three-member delegation led by DPA Chairman Sushil Singh and Deka visited the site and installed a foundation plaque, formally marking the commencement of ground-level activities.
Describing the initiative as a “milestone in APL’s history,” Deka stated that the project would symbolize Assam’s industrial capability and self-reliance beyond the state.
The project follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between APL and DPA on January 29 at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Dibrugarh. The MoU was executed in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, and formally signed by Deka and Singh. The e-methanol facility is expected to generate employment for approximately 3,500 people, directly and indirectly.
APL, where nearly 99% of officers and employees are local Assamese professionals, has demonstrated its technical and managerial expertise by expanding into a technologically advanced green energy venture in western India. Observers note that the project reflects Assam’s growing industrial confidence and ability to compete nationally.
The support and cooperation extended by the Deendayal Port Authority has been described as “unparalleled,” facilitating expedited project implementation. With the current pace, construction is expected to be completed ahead of schedule, enabling early entry into the global chemical and green fuel markets.
The e-methanol plant is poised to add a new dimension to APL’s legacy while strengthening Assam’s economic foundation. Analysts believe that the proactive vision of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will contribute significantly to transforming the state’s industrial ecosystem.
During the site visit, APL Managing Director Rajneesh Gogoi and Director (Finance) Pramod Kumar Prasad accompanied Chairman Deka.
With this landmark expansion, Assam’s industrial footprint now extends to the Gujarat coastline, serving as a testament to the State’s ambition, capability, and industrial pride.