Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated PepsiCo India's new ₹787-crore greenfield manufacturing plant at Banekuchi Industrial Park in Nalbari on Thursday, a step towards the state’s efforts to attract large-scale private investment to create new jobs and make it more competitive.
The facility will generate more than 200 direct jobs and around 500 indirect employment opportunities spread across 44.2 acres. The project will also create more demand for locally produced potatoes and link industrial development with farmers and agricultural communities.
The plant is part of one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies’ investment and is seen as another sign of growing investor confidence in Assam.
Women and Jobs
One of the most important aspects of the project is women’s employment. About 75 percent of the direct jobs generated by the facility are expected to be taken by women.
Sarma described the plant as a milestone of Assam’s industrial development, specifically in job generation, empowerment of women, and opportunities for young people.
The state government has since then taken a more active role in developing an environment to attract manufacturing and food-processing investment.
Boost for Local Potato Farmers
The PepsiCo facility is also expected to strengthen the agricultural supply chain in Assam.
With potato requirements relating to food production, the plant could create more demand for locally cultivated potatoes and enable farmers to participate in a more organised industrial supply chain.
The new development comes as Assam strives to expand food processing and manufacturing beyond traditional economic sectors. Food processing units are among the manufacturing activities being developed through its industrial base, according to the state’s Industries and Commerce department.
Sarma Highlights Assam's Investment Potential
Sarma also spoke of the importance of such a project for Assam's economic transformation at the inauguration. He said the investment shows more confidence in the state's business environment among global companies.
The chief minister has frequently promoted Assam as a gateway to India’s Northeast and emphasised infrastructure, employment, and private investment as key components of the state’s development strategy.
The PepsiCo investment could strengthen that pitch by illustrating how large corporations can establish manufacturing operations in Assam while creating local employment and supply chain opportunities.
BIG day for Assam's growth story! On my way to Nalbari to inaugurate @PepsiCoIndia's brand new Food facility . pic.twitter.com/viVFBWdwRw
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 10, 2026
Entrepreneurship Push in IIT Guwahati
Later on Thursday, Sarma attended the MC² + Ignite outreach programme at IIT Guwahati where more than 1,500 participants took part.
The programme aimed to create connections between startups, educational institutions, and industry. Sarma spoke of an “Assam Model of Entrepreneurship,” with more emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
The government sees stronger links between academia and industry as an important way to encourage innovation and help emerging businesses scale.
Assam is out for a broad economic transformation.
The opening of the PepsiCo plant and Sarma's participation in the IIT Guwahati entrepreneurship programme highlighted two related priorities: attracting significant industrial investment and building a stronger startup ecosystem.
Even if big manufacturing projects provide jobs and help in boosting local supply chains, entrepreneurship programmes can be used to help young people start businesses around technology, services, and innovation.
These steps all contribute to Assam’s campaign to position itself as a more attractive location for investment, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.
The PepsiCo facility is therefore not only a new manufacturing unit but part of a comprehensive plan to create jobs, empower women, support farmers, and connect Assam’s young talent with industry.
