Concern over Namrup plants’ poor performance

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
DIBRUGARH, March 4 – The poor and pathetic performance of the fertilizer plants of Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL) at Namrup has cast a shadow of fear among the farmers and tea planters of the region.

The sudden break down of machineries and sporadic non-operation of the huge fertilizer plants at Namrup has become a cause of worry, as it is failing to meet the demands of the region. Tea growers and farmers who largely depend on chemical fertilizers for optimum production are the most affected lot.

Taking serious note of the deteriorating condition of the fertilizer plants, the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) along with the Fertilizer Workers’ Union of the BVFCL, Namrup, have pleaded for revival of the existing plants and setting up of another new plant with haste.

The CITU backed workers union of the BVFCL has suggested complete replacement of the Plant II and III with modern technology. It is to be mentioned that the performance of Plant-II is sub-optimal due to breakdown of equipment and unreliability in supply of natural gas. Similarly, due to the gas shortage, only one stream of Namrup-III was in operation in the previous year, according to the workers.

Ajit Chandra Gogoi, general secretary, Fertilizer Workers’ Union in a press conference held here said that the existing plants operating in Namrup were of vintage design, belonging to the genre of low capacity and high energy consumption. Asserting that the neighbouring states like Bihar and West Bengal too were relying on the Namrup plant for fertilizers, the union leader said that revitalisation of the existing plants with modern equipment was vital.

Further, referring to the promise of Ram Vilas Paswan, the Minister for Fertilizer & Chemicals and Steel to set up the fourth grass root level plant with the state of the art technology, Gogoi said that the promise should be materialized immediately. Ajit Chandra Gogoi, among others was joined by Sasha Kamal Handique, ex-MLA and president, CITU, Dibrugarh district. Assam Tribune