Guwahati, December 2 (NationPress) Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday as the Centre conferred the esteemed Navratna status to Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL), deeming it a significant achievement for the oil and gas industry in Assam.

In a message shared on X, Sarma stated, “My heartfelt thanks to Honorable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji for his unwavering belief in Assam's oil & gas sector and his valuable guidance in advancing it. This remarkable accomplishment would not have been feasible without the consistent backing of Hon'ble Union Minister Shri @HardeepSPuri ji.”

Sarma emphasized that this elevation signifies the central government’s ongoing trust in NRL’s pivotal role, especially as the company spearheads some of the Northeast’s most ambitious energy and petrochemical projects.

The Chief Minister has consistently highlighted the refinery’s critical role in regional industrial growth, job creation, and downstream economic activities, referring to it as one of Assam’s most thriving public-sector enterprises.

In response to Sarma’s comments, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced the news, expressing his “delight and pride” in NRL receiving Navratna status under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

“This accolade acknowledges NRL’s robust performance and its ambitious growth initiatives, from the ongoing Numaligarh Refinery Expansion Project (NREP) to the recently launched ABEPL bamboo-based 2G bioethanol plant that champions energy security and sustainable growth from Assam and the Northeast,” Puri shared on X.

The Minister congratulated NRL, its promoter Oil India Ltd, equity partner Engineers India Ltd, and the Assam government, noting that the company’s steady progress mirrors the Centre’s commitment to energy self-sufficiency and green transition strategies.

The refinery’s capacity expansion as part of the NREP, increasing from 3 to 9 MMTPA, stands as one of the largest industrial projects in the Northeast, involving extensive investments in pipelines, petrochemicals, and logistics.

The recent inauguration of the bamboo-based 2G bioethanol facility by Assam Bio-Refinery, a pioneering commercial-scale operation, is celebrated as a significant advancement in the nation’s renewable fuel landscape.

This initiative positions Assam as a vital player in the national biofuel strategy while offering a new revenue source for bamboo farmers throughout the region.

With the Navratna designation, NRL joins an elite circle of high-performing public-sector entities with increased financial autonomy and investment flexibility — a step anticipated to expedite project implementation and solidify Assam’s status as an energy hub in the Northeast.