TALCHER: Redeeming his promise to farmers and locals here, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Srikanta Jena on Sunday indicated that Talcher fertiliser plant would start operation in 2012. The annual capacity of the new urea plant would be of 1.2 million tonne.
"Tenders for the new technology will be floated in a fortnight and construction work will begin from October 2011," the minister said after holding a review meeting with top officials of the ministry, Rastriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF), Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and the Planning and Development of India Limited (PDIL) at Talcher plant office.
The minister said RCF, GAIL and CIL are the joint partners for the revival of the plant with an estimated investment of ` 7,000 to 8,000 crore. The existing facilities will be put to use, which along with new technologies will meet the total infrastructure requirement of the plant, he said.
On the new technology to be adopted, the minister said coal gasification technology is the best for the revival of the plant. The Coal India has agreed for annual supply of 5.5 million coal for gasification. However, RCF will be the main operative agency, as it has got the expertise in urea production, he added.
The minister also said that the Talcher plant was found to be the most viable for revival among the eight closed units in the country.
Angul Collector D V Swamy and MLA Braja Kishore Pradhan and many Congress leaders were present on the occasion.