Numaligarh plans big, set to export more to Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan, eyes on Myanmar

Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), a product of the Assam Accord, with it's headquarters in Guwahati is planning big in Southeast Asia and particularly with its immediate neighbours. This has been learnt after the Annual General Meeting of the PSU, in Guwahati on Saturday. 

After the AGM, Dr Ranjit Rath, CMD, OIL & NRL, informed that NRL after successful commissioning and inauguration of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline in March, the PSU is planning big with many major projects, which will not only benefit the country but also the state of Assam in particular and the Southeast Asian region in general. 

The projects include Numaligarh Refinery Expansion Project, Paradip Numaligarh Crude Oil Pipeline, Crude Oil Import Terminal at Paradip and 2G Ethanol Project in Numaligarh. Apart from this, the ambitious 360 KPTA Polypropylene Project, worth Rs 7231 crore is something aimed at small scale entrepreneurship development in Assam, as under this project, the NRL is also aiming at rolling out a plastic park in Assam, in collaboration with the state government. 

Speaking about the 2G Ethanol Project, Dr Ranjit Rath said that NRL is aiming to produce five per cent Ethanol per annum to meet the need of the country's demand of 20 percent Ethanol per annum. 

He said, "We are planning to roll it out soon. The mechanical completion of the project is expected in December." 

He further added that it is being done in commercial scale for the first time in India. Stressing that it will create a lot of employment opportunities in the state of Assam, he said that two more by products will be produced, which will greatly benefit the nation. 

Speaking to Republic Media Network, Managing Director of NRL, Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan said that the PSU is planning big when it comes to the Southeast Asian region and particularly the immediate neighbourhood. With successful completion and commissioning of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, now they are eyeing for retail outlets in Myanmar. But with the ongoing crisis in the neighboring country, things are not on the right track now. 

"In the Sagaing Region of Myanmar, which is home to three million people of the country, we are planning to have retail outlets. But the ongoing crisis is inhospitable and hence the project is still in a dormant stage. However, we hope to revive soon, if the situation improves," said Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan. 

"We are already exporting to Bhutan and Nepal and the demand is increasing," he said. 

Further emphasizing on rural entrepreneurship and livelihood in Assam as part of various outreach programs of the NRL, Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan said that the bamboo based ethanol extraction project in Assam will boost the rural economy to a great extent.