Decks cleared for fertiliser plant revival

TALCHER: The Union Cabinet has approved the revival package of the Talcher fertiliser plant at a meeting on Friday.
According to sources, the urea plant will be revived jointly by Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF), Gas Authority of India Limited and Coal India Limited. The projected cost of Talcher plant will be around `8,500 crore.Seven other closed units under erstwhile Fertiliser Corporation of India and Hindustan Fertliser Corporation Limited have also got the nod for revival of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

Earlier, empowered committee of secretaries approved revival pan of these units in

principle.

The urea plant shall be based on coal gasification for supply of synthesis gas which will be set up on buildown and operate basis for which global tender will be floated soon.

One of the main reasons behind the closure of the plant along with other units of FCI was the availability of urea from foreign market at cheaper prices at that time.

Following silence by NDA government on revival packages of FCI units, the BIFR ordered winding up of the plant in 2001.

Union Minister of State for Fertilisers Srikant Jena from day one had been pushing for the revival of Talcher plant.