Ramagundam fertiliser unit to be commissioned in 2019: Minister

HYDERABAD: The work on the Ramagundam fertiliser plant in Telangana is going on at a brisk pace and it will be commissioned in 2019, Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar has said.

He also said that the government is investing around Rs 5,500 crore in the plant which would generate over 3,000 employment opportunities.

"The construction of Ramagundam fertiliser plant is time-bound. I am also going to visit the plant site within next one month," Kumar told reporters here last night.

"Last month, I had sent my secretary and team of officials. The construction and gas pipeline laying work is (going on) in advanced stage. Anytime in 2019 we will commission the plant," he said.

"We are investing to the extent of Rs 5,500 crore in the plant and it would generate more than 3,000 employment opportunities. Once commissioned, the plant will produce 13 lakh MT of urea and it will be more than sufficient for Telangana state," the minister said.

The project to revive the Ramagundam fertiliser unit, located about 240 kms from Hyderabad, is a part of the NDA government's revival plan for Fertiliser Corporation of India Ltd's (FCIL) closed units.