Guwahati

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said a caustic soda plant would be set up in the state with an investment of Rs 501 crore to support the raw material requirements of Numaligarh Refinery Limited, a public sector oil company.

The proposed plant would reduce external dependence and strengthen the state's industrial ecosystem, he said in a social media post.

"Why should the value go elsewhere when Assam can create it right here?" Sarma said in a post on X.

Why should the value go elsewhere when Assam can create it right here? Assam’s upcoming ₹501 crore Caustic Soda plant will support Numaligarh Refinery’s raw material needs, reduce external dependence and strengthen the state’s industrial ecosystem. https://t.co/vDNJTxGpwZ

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 11, 2026

"Assam's upcoming Rs 501 crore caustic soda plant will support Numaligarh Refinery's raw material needs, reduce external dependence and strengthen the state's industrial ecosystem," he said.

The Numaligarh Refinery Limited imports thousands of metric tonnes of caustic soda annually from outside Assam.

Besides reducing external supply dependence, the proposed plant was expected to cut logistics and transportation costs for Numaligarh Refinery Limited, generate new employment opportunities and boost local revenue generation for the state government.

The plant was also expected to strengthen the broader industrial and petrochemical ecosystem in Assam.

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The chief minister, however, did not specify the exact plant location, production capacity, construction timeline, and the implementing agency.