Assam to invest Rs 823 crore as additional equity for Numaligarh Refinery expansion

The Assam government would contribute Rs 823 crore as additional equity to the Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. (NRL) Expansion Project. The state cabinet meeting approved this investment in relation to the state government's "Right issue of Additional Equity Share of 74809091 numbers." The total number of right shares totaling 7823 crore will be divided by the sum of Rs 205.73 crore that the government will release for the first call.

At an estimated cost of Rs 28,026 crore, NRL has started a significant expansion project. Refinery expansion from 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA, 1,398 km of crude pipeline from Paradeep to Numaligarh, and 605 km of product pipeline from Numaligarh to Siliguri are all being built. The NRL expansion plan, which would involve state expenditure of 728,026 crore.

In order to minimise water pollution, the state government has determined that "Regulation for ldol Immersion" will be included in the Assam Rules, 2022. Identification of approved and indefinitely protected riverbank immersion ghats. Barricades will be erected to prevent slope damage in unprotected sections. Commercial and private river vessels should not moor or anchor at locations designated for permanent idol immersion, and the Water Resources Department should build ramps for idol immersion.

The government ruled that before an idol was immersed, worship materials like flowers and other items have to be removed from makeshift ponds with earthen bunds along river banks. synthetic colour use for painting idols is completely prohibited."These rules will ensure a decrease in the use of POP and other harmful materials, such as chemicals and toxic paints, in the creation of idols, specify procedures for idol immersion, and ensure improvement in the water quality of rivers, among other things."