Guwahati: Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), a subsidiary of M/s Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, a significant player in the Oil and Gas Sector, has achieved a notable milestone in its history.

As the largest refinery in Northeast India, NRL has secured its position as a Schedule A Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), ranking among the top 20 CPSEs in the country. Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan, the Managing Director of NRL, discussed this achievement and provided insights during an interview with Business-Northeast.

BNE: NRL initiated the 'ideathon' campaign to foster startup development, initially offering Rs. 10 crore in financial assistance. What are the upcoming plans for startups?
NRL MD: Our support has led to the sponsorship of nearly 29 startups, several of which have made commendable progress. To further encourage startup growth, we have raised the funding assistance to Rs. 30 crore, up from the initial Rs. 10 crore. Moreover, we are now equipped to invest in startups through an angel fund. Collaborating with the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi), NRL has established this fund to provide early-stage funding and additional avenues of support for startups. 

BNE: Could you elaborate on the Centre of Excellence at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati?
NRL MD: NRL is collaborating with IIT Guwahati on a project that utilizes furfural derived from bio-refining processes. Furfural, obtained from agricultural waste like corn cobs or rice husks, is being transformed into bio-degradable plastic. This aligns with our goal of finding sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics, addressing environmental concerns related to plastic waste.
Another project involves NRL partnering with the North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), Jorhat. The project focuses on extracting valuable phenol from wastewater that typically enters effluent treatment. This not only reduces pollution but also yields a valuable product. The project, successful at the pilot stage, is transitioning to a demonstration plant.

These initiatives, aligned with our strategic focus on the refinery sector, contribute to industry needs, public welfare, and environmental sustainability. By innovatively extracting value from waste and byproducts, these projects promote economic development and environmental stewardship.

BNE: Could you shed light on other ongoing projects at NRL?
NRL MD: Of our planned 35,000 crore project, 43% has already been implemented, marking significant progress. We're partnering with Oil India to accelerate investments in the northeastern region, fostering economic growth amid the ongoing energy transition.
We're also initiating projects like the Plastic Park and Bio Ethanol Park with a 200 crore rupee investment. These parks will boost rural economies, generate jobs, and encourage innovation.
Furthermore, NRL supports the Chroma Nursery startup's tissue culture lab, focused on bamboo nursery production. This initiative, in partnership with the forest department, aims to nurture and distribute bamboo saplings for cultivation across Assam.

BNE: What's the status of NRL's plan for retail outlets in Myanmar?
NRL MD: The plan to establish retail outlets in Myanmar is ongoing, considering the current situation. We intend to sell diesel and petrol through retail outlets in the Ramu area of the Sagaing Province. The timeline for establishment depends on prevailing circumstances, and we anticipate proceeding once conditions improve.

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