Two NFL plants in Punjab halt urea production as GAIL stops supply

Bathinda: Two National Fertiliser Limited plants in Punjab, situated at Bathinda and Nangal, have reportedly stopped production after supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) was stopped. As per sources, LNG is the main source of energy for fertiliser production at these plants. However, sources have reported that while plants in Punjab have ceased operations, a similar plant in Haryana's Panipat is still running. "The Bathinda unit of NFL has an installed capacity of 1,550 metric tonne per day (MTPD) urea and 900 MTPD Ammonia. The plant was revamped in March 2013 to run on natural gas. The halt in operations could affect urea supply, which is a critical input in Kharif season," said an official. GAIL, which distributes LNG across the country, has reportedly cut supply to the Punjab plants by 40%. Despite several attempts, the Bathinda plant's chief general manager Tarun Kumar Batra could not be reached for comments. Meanwhile, Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains on Wednesday raised concerns over shrinking petroleum and LPG stocks. He also expressed displeasure over the shutdown of NFL (National Fertilisers Limited) units at Nangal and Bathinda, warning that the upcoming kharif sowing season is under direct threat. "The Nangal and Bathinda fertiliser plants are almost shut. Where will our urea come from? Our kharif crops sowing is due. It is a serious issue linked to the livelihood of our farmers. While Punjab's plants are starved of gas, the NFL's Panipat plant continues to receive 100% supply. This is blatant discrimination against Punjab," Bains said.Bains stated, "We must ask why Punjab is being punished. Why are our plants in Nangal and Bathinda closed while NFL's Panipat runs at full capacity? The entire country needs to know the truth about the stock situation before it is too late."