Numaligarh Refinery Expansion to Boost India’s Energy Security

India is making progress toward energy self-sufficiency, as Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Puri has noted. The development of the Numaligarh Refinery in Assam is a crucial part of this growth.

Currently undergoing a significant expansion, the refinery’s capacity is set to triple from 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA by 2024. To support this increased capacity, a substantial 1,640 km pipeline is being constructed to transport imported crude from Paradip Port to Numaligarh. This infrastructure development, coupled with the refinery’s expansion, is a strategic move to enhance India’s energy security.

The project, sanctioned with a budget of ₹28,026 crore, secured environmental clearance in July 2020. Its completion will not only augment India’s refining capacity but also stimulate economic growth in the Northeast region.

Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Petroleum, is the largest refinery in Assam. The state government’s significant investment of ₹2,187 crore to increase its stake in NRL to 26% underscores the project’s importance for Assam’s economic development.

As India forges ahead on its path to energy independence, the Numaligarh Refinery expansion stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to strengthening its energy infrastructure and reducing reliance on imports.

This strategic initiative is expected to have a far-reaching impact, bolstering the domestic oil and gas sector, creating employment opportunities, and contributing to India’s overall economic growth.

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