Gas supply to the Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory in Brahmanbaria has resumed after nearly nine months of suspension. According to Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited (BGDCL) and Ashuganj Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited (AFCCL), the supply was restored yesterday (Friday, November 15). However, the factory’s Managing Director, Pradip Kumar Nath, stated that it would take another 15 to 20 days to restart fertilizer production.

Established in 1981, Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory is one of the country’s key urea fertilizer producers, commencing commercial production in 1983 with an initial capacity of 1,600 tons per day. Fertilizer produced here is supplied to 10 districts, including Brahmanbaria, Cumilla, Chandpur, Kishoreganj, Netrokona, Sunamganj, and Habiganj. However, with the factory’s infrastructure nearing the end of its operational lifespan, production capacity has gradually declined. Over the past decade, mechanical issues and gas shortages have frequently disrupted production. This year alone, the factory has been non-operational for nearly nine months.

When operational, the factory can produce 1,000 to 1,150 tons of urea daily. At the factory gate price of BDT 25,000 per ton (including subsidy), the production suspension has resulted in a loss of at least BDT 6.7 billion over the past 268 days, equivalent to 268,000 tons of urea. According to factory sources, this disruption has forced the government to import fertilizer, incurring higher costs and depriving farmers of quality products.

Union representatives reported that gas shortages led to a halt in production from May 2023 to mid-November. After production briefly resumed on November 20, 2023, it was again suspended on February 21, 2024, due to the recurring gas crisis. Workers protested, organized human chains, and submitted memorandums demanding gas supply. Following these efforts, the gas supply was finally restored yesterday.

Managing Director Pradip Kumar Nath explained, “The machines have been restarted after the gas supply resumed. However, urea production requires multiple stages of preparation, which will take another 15 to 20 days to complete.”

According to BGDCL and AFCCL, the Ministry of Industries decided to suspend gas supply to the production unit of the factory in February this year. Despite repeated requests from factory authorities and workers, the supply remained suspended. Finally, following the decision of the Ministry of Industries, BGDC authorities resumed gas supply from yesterday morning.