Ramagundam Fertilizer Plant Restart Boosts India’s Urea Supply
Urea production at Ramagundam Fertilisers Plant (RFCL) has finally resumed after a 46-day shutdown, marking a crucial step toward restoring fertilizer supply in Telangana and supporting India’s broader goal of urea self-sufficiency by 2025.
According to plant officials, the RFCL unit restarted operations on October 3, 2025, following extensive technical repairs. The plant is currently operating at around 70% capacity, producing approximately 3,850 tonnes of urea per day using the primary reformer unit.
Why the Ramagundam Fertilizer Plant Was Shut Down
The Ramagundam Fertilizer Plant was shut down on August 14, 2025, after a major ammonia pipeline leak disrupted production. The maintenance and inspection process took longer than expected due to the complexity of the reformer system and safety protocols.
During the outage, the plant lost nearly 1.77 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of urea output, leading to an estimated financial loss of ₹120 crore. Officials also reported that three shutdowns occurred in the past five months, primarily due to repeated failures in the High Temperature Reformer (HTR) and related equipment.
Impact on Fertilizer Supply in Telangana
The suspension severely impacted fertilizer availability in Telangana, where RFCL is a key regional supplier. The shortage coincided with peak agricultural activity, forcing farmers and distributors to depend on imported supplies and other domestic sources.
Now, with production back online, the situation is expected to stabilize fertilizer supply across southern India, easing pressure on retailers and reducing logistical costs.
Repair Cost and Modernization of the Ramagundam Fertilizer Plant
Industry officials estimate that around ₹150 crore will be required for full-scale equipment upgrades and preventive maintenance.
This investment aims to strengthen the plant’s reliability and prevent recurring technical breakdowns that have hindered consistent production since 2023.
Once the repair program is completed, RFCL plans to ramp up production to full capacity of nearly 2,200 tonnes of ammonia and 3,850 tonnes of urea per day.
Strategic Importance in India’s Urea Supply Chain
Ramagundam Fertilizer plays a vital role in India’s fertilizer ecosystem, especially for the southern and central regions.
It is one of the five major revival projects launched to boost domestic urea capacity and reduce import dependence.
With production restored, RFCL’s return will support India’s ongoing self-sufficiency mission, alongside the operational plants at Gorakhpur, Barauni, Sindri, and Talcher (which is still under construction).
FERTILIZERFIELD Analysis
The restart of urea production at RFCL is a positive development for both farmers and policymakers. However, frequent technical breakdowns indicate a need for deeper structural upgrades.
If RFCL can maintain stable output over the next few quarters, it will contribute significantly to meeting India’s domestic urea target of around 350 LMT per year and help offset import needs.
Nevertheless, experts caution that long-term reliability will depend on continuous equipment maintenance, skilled manpower, and adequate spare part management — especially in high-stress systems like the ammonia reformer.
Key Facts
Shutdown Duration: 46 days (Aug 14 – Oct 3, 2025)
Current Output: ~3,850 tonnes/day (70% capacity)
Production Loss: 1.77 LMT
Estimated Loss: ₹120 crore
Repair Cost: ₹150 crore (approx.)
Project Goal: Support India’s 2025 urea self-sufficiency target
Outlook
With production restored, RFCL’s contribution will help India reduce import dependency in the current fertilizer year.
If operations stabilize, the plant could play a pivotal role in ensuring consistent urea availability ahead of the rabi season, supporting millions of farmers across Telangana and neighboring states.
