Talcher Fertilizer Plant In Odisha Likely To Be Commissioned In Sept, 2024: Union Minister

Bhubaneswar: The plant of Talcher Fertilizers Ltd (TFL) in Odisha is likely to be commissioned by September, 2024 after a delay of one year.

This was stated by Union Minister for Chemical and Fertilizer Mansukh Mandaviya in reply to a question by BJD MP Sasmit Patra in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Patra wanted to know from the minister when the TFL plant would start operation and whether the farmers of Odisha, which has an agriculture-based economy, will get any additional benefit from the plant.

In his reply, the minister said in order to ensure revival of Talcher unit of Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd (FCIL) in Odisha, a joint venture company with participation of PSUs Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (RCF), Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), Coal India Limited (CIL) and FCIL was formed in 2015.

As per the agreement for the company called Talcher Fertilizers Ltd (TFL), an ammonia urea plant with a capacity of 12.7 LMT per annum based on coal gasification technology would be set up. The Lump Sum Turn Key (LSTK) global contract for plant was awarded in September, 2019.

Stating that more than 20% of the plant’s work has been completed till February, 2022, the minister said the progress was hampered due to COVID pandemic and resultant shurdown. However, he expected that the plant would be commissioned by September, 2024.

On the benefits to Odisha farmers, Mandaviya said the plant aims at catering to fertilizer needs of the farmers across the country. The government, which has increased the subsidy for fertilizer despite global price rise, would continue to do so in future for the benefits of the farmers, he added.