Last relic of Namrup-1 comes down after 60 years, prilling tower demolished

Dibrugarh: BVFCL’s 23-storey prilling tower at the phased-out Namrup-1 plant was demolished on Thursday.The tower, the last standing structure of the Namrup-1 unit that was shut in 1986, remained a landmark across the Namrup township for decades. The demolition will clear space for a Rs 10,600-crore Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Plant, whose foundation stone was laid by PM Narendra Modi on Dec 21, 2025.The upcoming facility, to be developed by Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company Limited (AVFCCL), is designed to produce 12.7 lakh metric tonnes of urea annually.Former BVFCL employee and ex-general secretary of the Namrup Fertiliser Shramik Union, Tileswar Bora, said the tower meant more than its industrial role. “That tower was a part of Namrup’s history. It was 23-storied tall. You could see it from every corner of the town.

When it came down, it felt like losing something that had always been there,” he added.Bora recalled that construction of Namrup-1, including the prilling tower, began in 1966. The plant began commercial production in 1969 and was inaugurated by former Assam CM Bimala Prasad Chaliha. BVFCL was among the first in India to produce urea from natural gas.BVFCL’s operating units — Namrup-2 (1976) and Namrup-3 (1987) — continue to run, though output has declined in recent years due to ageing equipment and technology.

Incorporated on July 25, 2025, AVFCCL is a joint venture led by Assam govt with a 40% stake. Other partners are Oil India Limited (18%), National Fertilizers Limited (18%), Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (13%) and BVFCL (11%).The AVFCCL project is expected to meet fertiliser demand in Assam and neighbouring states, cut import dependence, generate jobs and boost the regional economy.