Assam Identifies Land For Rs 40,000 Crore Thermal Power Project, Foundation Stone Likely To Be Laid By November

Assam is set to host a massive 3,000 MW thermal power project, with land identified in Dhubri and Goalpara districts and the foundation stone for the project likely to be laid by November 2025, the Hindu reported.

The Rs 40,000 crore project is expected to generate up to one lakh direct and indirect jobs, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced.

Speaking at a press conference, Sarma revealed that the state government had initially proposed setting up the plant in Kokrajhar to ensure a major economic boost to the region.

However, the plan faced resistance over alleged fears of government taking away tribal land.

Sarma said that the Rs 26,000-crore semiconductor unit (of the Tata Group) is coming up in Jagiroad.

"We thought that a project of similar investment should come to Kokrajhar, too," the Assam CM said.

“But we don’t want to go ahead with it by taking the blame that we are after tribal land," the CM added.

The Chief Minister clarified that although the project would no longer be pursued in Kokrajhar, concerns remain over the usage of a large parcel of land in the district.

"The land may not be given for the power project, but I think it is not correct for only a few people to have possession of so much land. Some institution like a hospital or a college can come up there," he added.

With Assam's energy demand expected to reach 5,000 MW by 2030 and 7,000 MW by 2035, the state is working to become a regional thermal power hub.

To boost investment, the State Cabinet approved the Assam Thermal Power Generation Project Promotion Policy 2025 on 5 May.

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