Guwahati: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday said the upcoming Namrup fertiliser expansion would act as a major economic catalyst for Assam and significantly boost the Northeast’s ability to compete in international markets, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state later this month.
While reviewing arrangements for the Prime Minister’s public programme at Namrup on December 21, Sonowal said the foundation stone ceremony for the fourth unit of the Namrup fertiliser plant would usher in a new phase of industrial growth for Assam and the entire northeastern region. He described the project as a long-awaited development that would directly support farmers and strengthen the regional economy.
“This project will benefit not just Assam but the entire Northeast. It aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of increasing farmers’ income and creating globally competitive economic opportunities,” Sonowal said after inspecting the venue.
The Union Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for what he termed “historic interventions” in the Northeast, stating that the people of the region would remember his initiatives for decades. Sonowal later toured the proposed rally site and held detailed discussions with officials from multiple departments and the district administration to assess security, logistics, and crowd management plans.
He also met BJP workers from Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, and Charaideo districts, reviewing mobilisation strategies and identifying potential logistical issues ahead of the event. Ministers Prasanta Phukan and Yogendra Mohan, along with several MLAs from Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, accompanied him during the inspection.
Highlighting the political significance of the project, Sonowal said public demand for a fourth unit at Namrup had remained unaddressed for decades under previous Congress governments. He said the Narendra Modi-led government approved the project within 11 years, committing an investment of Rs 10,000 crore.
“Earlier governments ignored this crucial demand despite being in power for long periods. Prime Minister Modi has taken a decisive step that reflects transformational governance,” he said.
Sonowal further noted that the Prime Minister has launched several landmark initiatives across Assam and the Northeast, spanning infrastructure development, connectivity, semiconductor manufacturing and new institutions, benefiting farmers, youth, women and workers alike.
He added that the Namrup rally would also mark the beginning of the BJP’s campaign for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Upper Assam, with plans underway to mobilise large public participation from multiple districts.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Assam on December 20 and 21. On December 20, he will inaugurate the new terminal at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. The following day, he will travel to Namrup in Dibrugarh district to lay the foundation stone for the fourth unit of the fertiliser plant.