A major fire erupted at the Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL) ammonia plant in Namrup on Sunday evening, casting a shadow over the facility just two weeks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the area.
The blaze, which began around 7.10 pm, originated at the pressure air compressor within the ammonia plant, sending towering flames into the night sky. Pressure air compressors are vital components in fertiliser production, necessary for compressing ammonia gas for cooling and as feedstock.
Multiple fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene to control the raging inferno. While the extent of the damage remains officially unknown as firefighters continue to battle the blaze, authorities have confirmed that no injuries or casualties have been reported.
The incident has immediately raised serious concerns regarding safety protocols at the BVFCL facility. The plant is located only 1,000 meters from the site where the Prime Minister is slated to lay the foundation stone for a major new fertiliser project.
The timing is especially critical as PM Modi is due in Namrup on December 21 to launch the foundation stone ceremony for the new Ammonia-Urea fertilizer project under the newly incorporated Assam Valley Fertilizers & Chemical Company Limited (AVFCL).
AVFCL, established on July 25, 2025, is a joint venture aimed at boosting the region’s agricultural sector. The partnership sees the Government of Assam holding the largest equity stake at 40%, with National Fertilizers Limited (NFL), Oil India Limited (OIL), Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL), and BVFCL also participating.
The ambitious new Ammonia-Urea complex is designed to have an annual production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes.
