Urea production at Ashuganj fertiliser factory in Brahmanbaria has been suspended for an indefinite period due to gas crisis – just 38 days after the factory had resumed operation following a prolonged pause last year. The factory authorities stopped fertiliser production as Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company discontinued gas supply last night ( March 1), said factory sources.
The urea fertilizer production plant has gradually become an unprofitable enterprise due to prolonged production stoppages caused by a lack of gas supply for most of the year. Previously, from February 21 to November 14 last year, fertilizer production was halted due to the gas shortage. Following prolonged worker protests, the Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited resumed gas supply on November 15. After completing all necessary steps, fertilizer production resumed on January 23.
According to Ashuganj fertiliser factory authorities, the factory is able to produce 1,150 tonnes of urea per day, and at least 48 million cubic feet gas is needed every day to keep the production normal. But the factory authorities were failing to produce gas at full capacity despite the gas supply due to a lack of gas pressure. Eventually, Bakhrabad Gas Company halted gas supply on Saturday evening, which led to a suspension in fertiliser production at Ashuganj factory.
Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory's General Manager (Operations) A.B. Mahmud said, "Fertilizer production is not possible without gas. As a result, the factory's production activities have been halted. It is unclear when production will resume."
Deputy Director General of Bakhrabad Gas Company Zahidur Reza said, "The gas supply to Ashuganj factory has been suspended as per a government decision. It's up to the government to decide when the gas supply will resume. Maybe there won't be any gas supply this season."
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
