Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on 20 September 2026 laid the foundation stone for Adani Power Limited's 3,200 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant at Chapar in Dhubri district, marking one of the largest private-sector investments in the state's history. The project carries an estimated outlay of ₹48,000 crore and is expected to substantially expand Assam's power generation capacity.

Project Scale and Technology

The Chapar thermal power plant will comprise four units of 800 MW each, employing ultra-supercritical technology designed to maximise fuel efficiency while incorporating modern environmental safeguards. The plant is scheduled to be commissioned in phases beginning December 2030. Ultra-supercritical technology operates at higher steam temperatures and pressures than conventional plants, resulting in lower coal consumption per unit of electricity generated and reduced emissions — a significant consideration for a large baseload project in an ecologically sensitive region.

Jobs and Economic Impact

According to the company, the project is expected to generate up to 20,000 jobs during the construction phase, with approximately 5,000 permanent and indirect jobs once operational. Adani Group Director Jeet Adani, who attended the foundation stone ceremony alongside senior state government officials, industry representatives, and community leaders, said the plant would also open opportunities for local contractors, suppliers, and businesses. 'The project will also create jobs and open up opportunities for local contractors, suppliers and businesses. We are proud to invest in Assam and be part of the state's economic growth,' he noted.

Part of a Larger Assam Investment Drive

The Chapar plant forms a major component of the Adani Group's broader ₹63,000-crore investment plan in Assam's power sector. Jeet Adani further indicated that total Adani Group investments exceeding ₹80,000 crore across power, aviation, and cement sectors are already being translated into ground-level projects in the state. Chief Minister Sarma described the Chapar project as a direct outcome of commitments made during the Advantage Assam Investor Summit 2.0, saying the state is rapidly emerging as an energy hub for the Northeast. 'With an investment of nearly ₹48,000 crore, this project will constitute one of the largest single investments ever made in Assam,' Sarma stated at the event.

Strategic Significance for the Northeast

Assam and the broader Northeast region have historically faced power deficits, with transmission infrastructure constraints limiting supply to remote districts. A 3,200 MW baseload addition would represent a transformative increase in indigenous generation capacity for the region. Notably, the project comes as several large energy initiatives are reportedly under concurrent development in the state, signalling a shift in industrial appetite for the region that was long considered commercially peripheral. This is also one of the largest single private investments in Assam's history, underlining how post-pandemic infrastructure commitments are now moving from announcement to ground-breaking.

What Comes Next

With the foundation stone now laid, construction activity and procurement processes are expected to ramp up ahead of the first phase of commissioning targeted for December 2030. The scale of the project means its execution trajectory will be closely watched as a barometer of investor confidence in Northeast India's infrastructure ambitions.