Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in Assam has been granted Navratna status, marking a major upgrade for the state’s energy sector. The announcement came from Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, but the development follows months of demand from Congress MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Gaurav Gogoi, who had repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament. His call for the upgrade had become a key point of discussion in both Assam and Delhi, as he argued that NRL deserved greater autonomy to expand and take up major projects.
Gogoi had first taken up the issue during the 2022 Winter Session of Parliament. In response, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Rameswar Teli wrote to him in January 2023, confirming that the Ministry had recommended the Navratna proposal to the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE). The letter also said the matter was being actively pursued with the DPE and other agencies. With the status now officially granted, many see it as a long-pending demand finally being met.
Announcing the upgrade, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the achievement was made possible under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He added that NRL has shown strong and steady performance over the years and is currently carrying out the large-scale Numaligarh Refinery Expansion Project (NREP). The expansion is one of the biggest industrial projects in Assam and aims to meet the rising energy needs of the Northeast and the rest of the country. 
The minister also highlighted the bamboo-based 2G bioethanol plant set up under the Assam Bio-Refinery project. The plant uses bamboo to produce bioethanol, which supports India’s transition toward cleaner and greener fuels. The project is expected to help local bamboo growers and strengthen India’s renewable energy efforts. Officials say the plant reflects the growing importance of Assam in the country’s clean-energy roadmap.
The upgrade to Navratna status gives NRL more operational and financial freedom. The company will now be able to take quicker decisions, attract investors, and push ahead with new projects without waiting for multiple layers of clearance. For Assam, the development is being seen as a boost for industry and a positive signal for future economic growth in the region.
In his earlier communication to Gaurav Gogoi, Minister Rameswar Teli had also responded to concerns about contractual workers at the refinery. He clarified that temporary workers were engaged through contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic and that such arrangements were based on short-term work requirements. He also said that the Ministry of Home Affairs regularly reviews security at strategic assets like oil fields and refineries in the Northeast to ensure safety.
