Kamal Ghorui
Dibrugarh: The nation’s journey in green energy reached a significant milestone on Sunday as the signboard for the proposed 150-tonne per day (TPD) e-methanol plant — a joint venture between Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (APL) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla — was formally installed at the 150-acre plot allotted for the project in Gujarat’s Kandla Port.The installation of the signboard marks the first step towards following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two organisations on Jan 29 in Dibrugarh, in the presence of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.The signboard installation ceremony was attended by APL chairman Bikul Deka, DPA chairman Sushil Kumar Singh and other respective senior officials, including APL managing director Rajnesh Gogoi and finance director Pramod Kumar.“This project is a testament to APL’s commitment to India’s clean energy future. What began as a vision is now taking shape on the ground, and we are determined to see it through to fruition. Assam’s contribution to India’s green energy transition is only going to grow stronger from here,” Deka said.Sushil Kumar Singh, too, echoed Deka’s sentiment, underlining the strategic importance of the partnership. “Kandla Port is being developed as a future-ready green port, and this e-methanol project fits perfectly into that vision. Our collaboration with APL will help position Kandla as a major green fuel supply hub on international maritime trade routes, and we are confident this project will set a benchmark for port-based clean energy production in the country,” he said.The project, which is expected to entail a capital investment of over Rs 1,200 crore, is projected to generate approximately 3,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities, once operational. Under the terms of the MoU, DPA will provide pipeline connectivity, storage and fuel-handling infrastructure, while APL will establish the green methanol production facility, creating an integrated value chain for green marine fuels.
