Assam CM, Union Petroleum Minister discuss strengthening state's energy sector, review key energy projects
New Delhi, July 27
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday met Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri in New Delhi to discuss strengthening the state's energy sector and expanding its role in India's energy security.
The meeting, held at Kartavya Bhawan, reviewed developments in Assam's petroleum and natural gas sector and explored ways to further strengthen the state's contribution to the country's energy ecosystem through closer cooperation between the Centre and the state government.
Sharing details of the meeting on social media platform X, Puri said he was "very happy" to welcome the Assam Chief Minister and described the discussions as productive.
According to the Union Minister, the discussions focused on Assam's energy sector and the state's growing role in shaping India's energy future. He added that the North Eastern Region, including Assam, will continue to be a key driver in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The meeting comes as the Centre continues to expand energy infrastructure across Assam, a key oil and gas-producing state.
According to recent government initiatives, the Numaligarh Refinery expansion from 3 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) to 9 MMTPA is expected to significantly boost fuel supplies in the North East, while the recently inaugurated Phase-I of the North East Gas Grid and the enhanced Numaligarh-Siliguri pipeline are aimed at improving regional gas connectivity and supporting the refinery expansion.
An official release said the discussions underscored the Government of India's continued emphasis on leveraging Assam's strategic location, hydrocarbon resources and expanding energy infrastructure to drive sustainable growth and strengthen the North East's role in India's energy landscape.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see CM Sarma and Minister Puri working together. But we need to ask - what about the environmental impact? Assam already faces flooding and erosion issues. More pipelines and refineries mean more ecological risks. We need a balanced approach that doesn't sacrifice our biodiversity for energy security. 🌿
As someone from Dibrugarh, I've seen how oil extraction has both helped and hurt our region. The gas grid connectivity to Siliguri is a smart move - it will bring cleaner energy to households and reduce dependence on LPG cylinders. But let's ensure local communities get their fair share of revenue and jobs, not just corporate giants. 💼
'Viksit Bharat' sounds great on paper, but ground reality in Assam is different. Infrastructure projects often face delays due to terrain and bureaucracy. I hope this isn't just another photo-op meeting. Show us timelines and budgets, not just X posts and press releases. Actions speak louder than tweets! 📉
This is excellent news for the Northeast's economic integration with the rest of India. Assam's strategic location near Southeast Asia makes it crucial for energy exports too. But please, don't forget about renewable energy - solar and hydro projects in Assam could complement these fossil fuel initiatives and make us a green energy leader. ☀️💧
I'm cautiously optimistic. The North East Gas Grid has been promised for years - glad to see Phase-I finally inaugurated. Hope rural areas in upper Assam get gas connections soon. Also, the Centre should ensure that local youth get
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