Ammonia pipeline faults trigger repeated RFCL shutdowns in Peddapalli

RFCL in Peddapalli faces repeated shutdowns due to ammonia pipeline leakages, disrupting urea supply during peak season. Farmers struggle with shortages, while political leaders allege conspiracy behind the frequent closures.

Peddapalli: The frequent shutdowns at Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (RFCL) are being attributed to a sub-standard ammonia pipeline, which has caused repeated leakages and forced the management to suspend operations several times this year.

The plant was closed from May 8 to June 15, again from July 16 to August 4, and most recently on August 14. Officials cited technical issues, but the State government is reportedly probing possible conspiracy angles and has sought inputs from the intelligence department.

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Since its commissioning, the ammonia pipeline has been a persistent problem, with authorities repeatedly halting production due to leakages. Despite multiple shutdowns, no permanent solution has been found.

Concerns have also been raised over the timing of these shutdowns, coinciding with the peak agricultural season. Farmers, already struggling with a shortage of urea, have been hit harder as RFCL’s production remains stalled.

This kharif season, the plant has supplied only 20,000 tonnes of urea to the State against the required 65,000 tonnes, creating a shortfall. Congress leaders alleged that the Centre was deliberately shutting down the plant to create an artificial scarcity and trouble the State government.

Ramagundam MLA Makkan Singh Raj Thakur, who recently inspected the facility, echoed these doubts, stating that the use of sub-standard pipelines was the root cause of repeated ammonia leakages.

Established in 2021 with the mandate to produce 1.2 lakh tonnes of urea annually and supply 45 per cent to Telangana, RFCL had set a target of producing 3,850 tonnes of urea and 2,220 tonnes of ammonia per day. However, due to frequent shutdowns, the plant has already failed to produce 1.3 lakh metric tonnes this season.