Golaghat (Assam) [India], September 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasised that India has embarked on the path to becoming 'self-reliant' in the energy sector, highlighting the country's dependence on other countries for importing crude oil and gas.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a public gathering in Assam's Golaghat, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation of various projects worth thousands of crores.

He noted that India spends crores of money towards importing gas and oil from foreign countries, stating that it increases the income of people there.

'We have been dependent on foreign countries for these things. We import huge quantities of crude oil and gas from foreign countries, and in return, India has to give lakhs of crores of rupees to other countries every year. Our money creates jobs abroad. The income of the people there increases. It was necessary to change this situation. That is why India has embarked on the path of becoming self-reliant for its energy needs,' the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, India got its first second-generation ethanol plant on Sunday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the Numaligarh Refinery Ltd's bamboo-based refinery unit in Assam. The foundation stone of the NRL Bio Refinery at Numaligarh was laid by the PM himself on February 9, 2019.

This is significant news for Assam in particular, and the northeast region as a whole, as these states grow bamboo in abundance.

In 2014, the ethanol blending was just 1.53 per cent. By 2022, India had achieved a 10 per cent blending rate, five months ahead of schedule.

The original target of 20 per cent blending (E20) by 2030 was advanced to 2025 and has already been achieved in the current ethanol supply year (ESY).

The Numaligarh Rs 5,000 crore 2nd-generation bioethanol plant is the first such unit in the world to utilise bamboo.

It is a zero-waste plant, as it utilises every part of the bamboo to produce high-value industrial chemicals such as green furfural and green acetic acid, which is used in APIs, food-grade carbon dioxide (CO2) and bio-coal.

This plant also champions net zero, producing 25 MW of green electricity.

'Experts suggest that our oceans hold significant reserves of oil and gas. To identify and utilise these resources effectively, we are launching the National Deep Water Exploration Mission. Simultaneously, India is making remarkable progress in the field of green energy and sustainable power generation. While the country lagged behind in solar power production just a decade ago, it has now risen to rank among the top five nations globally in this sector,' PM said at the event.'Assam is the land that enhances India's energy capacity. Petroleum products produced here accelerate the country's development. The BJP, NDA government is committed to taking Assam's strength to new heights,' the PM said.

PM Modi further recalled the National Deepwater Exploration Mission, which he announced from the ramparts of Red Fort during his August 15, 2025, speech. He further revealed the ongoing research near the shorelines aimed at discovering oil and natural gas reserves in the country.

'On the one hand, we are discovering new reserves of crude oil and gas in the country, and on the other hand, we are also increasing our capacity for green energy. This time, I announced Samudra Manthan from the Red Fort. Experts say that there can be huge reserves of oil and gas in our seas too. We are going to start the National Deepwater Exploration Mission so that these resources can be useful for the country and they can be explored. Today, India is the fastest-developing country in the world. As India is developing, our needs for electricity, gas and fuel are also increasing,' he said.

The Prime Minister further expressed his gratitude for the love and affection he received on his two-day Assam tour.

'I have been in the North East for the last two days. Whenever I come to the North East, I get unprecedented love and blessings. Especially the love and affection I get in this region of Assam is amazing. I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you. Today is a very important day for the glorious journey of developed Assam, developed India. Today, Assam has received projects worth about Rs 18,000 crore,' he said. (ANI)