The upgraded facility will double the plant’s milk processing capacity from 1.5 lakh litres per day (LLPD) to 3 lakh litres per day (LLPD).
The Rs 104 crore expansion project is in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between WAMUL and NDDB during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit in February of this year. This initiative is part of a larger effort to strengthen the dairy value chain and ensure sustainable livelihoods for rural milk producers.
The Chief Minister stated, “The expansion of the Purabi Dairy plant is a crucial step towards realising our vision of a self-reliant Assam in the dairy sector. By doubling the processing capacity of this plant, we are not only ensuring better market access for a larger number of dairy farmers in the state but also enhancing nutritional security for our people. I congratulate NDDB and Purabi Dairy for their efforts in strengthening Assam’s dairy ecosystem and supporting rural livelihoods.”
Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB & WAMUL stated, “It is a momentous occasion for Purabi Dairy and the cooperative families we represent. The expansion of the Purabi Dairy plant is a testament to the power of cooperative efforts and strategic vision. With this expansion, we are building the capacity needed to support a growing dairy network, improving milk collection, streamlining processing and reaching more consumers across the region. WAMUL and NDDB remain committed to supporting the Assam government’s dairy development plan with the infrastructure and institutional frameworks required for long-term sustainability and growth.”
Operated by the West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd. (WAMUL) under the Purabi Dairy brand, the Panjabari plant is the largest dairy processing facility in Northeast India. The expansion aims to increase the milk processing capacity of the plant from 1.5 lakh litres per day (LLPD) to 3.0 LLPD with pasteurised pouch milk production rising from 1.15 LLPD to 2.0 LLPD. Additionally, a new ice cream production facility of 20 TLPD (thousand litres per day), expandable to 30 TLPD and other dairy products totalling 70 TLPD will be included in the expansion. The expanded unit will be equipped with facilities to enhance operational efficiency and meet the increasing consumer demand for milk and dairy products. This plant is part of the Assam Dairy Development Plan (ADDP), which envisions processing 10 lakh litres of milk per day (LLPD) across the state in the formal dairy sector.The Panjabari plant was previously upgraded from a daily capacity of 60,000 litres per day to 1.5 lakh litres per day under the World Bank-funded APART project. The plant fuelled the growth of Purabi product distribution across the state, leading to almost 100% capacity utilisation within 18 months of inauguration. This necessitated the current expansion of the plant.
