PM Neem Corridor: 700 neem trees planted for environmental benefits ahead of bio-ethanol plant inauguration

Guwahati: A “neem corridor” has been developed by planting about 700 neem trees along both sides of a newly constructed 2-km road stretching from Letekujan — where a helipad has been installed for Prime Minister Narendra Modi — to the event venue near Numaligarh Refinery Limited in Golaghat district. The PM is scheduled to inaugurate a Rs 4,200-crore bio-ethanol plant at the venue on Sept 14.The stretch has been named the “PM Neem Corridor”, said BJP MLA from Khumtai in Golaghat district Mrinal Saikia, who is widely recognised for his sustained plantation efforts across his constituency.Saikia, who has taken personal responsibility for nurturing the plants until they mature, said neem was chosen for its natural air-purifying properties and environmental benefits. Neem improves air quality by removing toxins and offers a host of health, agricultural, and ecological advantages, he said.“To honour the PM, who deeply values nature and greenery, I decided to plant neem trees along the entire 2-km stretch from the helipad to the venue,” Saikia added.He also mentioned that neem trees help stabilise soil and act as mosquito repellents, reducing disease risks. “Neem is a cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine, often referred to as nature’s pharmacy. Every part of the tree — leaves, bark, seeds, roots — is used in home remedies and contributes to overall health and hygiene,” he said.

Modi’s visit, initially scheduled for Sept 8, was postponed to Sept 13 due to the vice-presidential elections.The bio-ethanol plant at Numaligarh Refinery is India’s first bamboo-based refinery, developed as a joint venture between NRL and Finnish partners. It is designed to process up to 300,000 metric tonnes of bamboo annually to produce 49,000 metric tonnes of ethanol. Following a successful trial run in Dec 2024, commercial production is expected to begin in mid-2025.The facility is projected to benefit around 30,000 rural households and marks a significant step in India’s green energy and biofuel sector.Residents of Saikia’s Khumtai constituency have embraced plantation as a way of life, treating plants as family members. “It’s been over a decade since people here began understanding the importance of environmental protection. A spark is needed to start an engine — that’s what I tried to provide,” Saikia said.