Production at Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) was suspended yesterday, four months after the plant resumed operations following a two-month shutdown, as its gas supply was sharply reduced for scheduled maintenance.
The plant, located in Anwara, Chittagong, stopped production at around 11am after its gas supply was cut from about 50 million cubic feet per day to 5.5 million cubic feet.
Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL), which supplies gas to KAFCO, said the reduction in supply was made in line with instructions from the authorities.
“Until now, the plant was receiving 50 million cubic feet of gas per day. From 11am, the supply has been reduced to 5.5 million cubic feet,” KGDCL Deputy General Manager (Distribution North), Engineer Mohammad Rafique Khan, told Dhaka Tribune.
He said gas supply would be restored following further instructions from the ministry.
KAFCO Chief of Personnel Faruk Ahmed said the plant undergoes major maintenance every three years, requiring production to be suspended for about one to one-and-a-half months.
“The plant has been shut down for maintenance. Production will resume after the maintenance work is completed,” he said.
KAFCO resumed production on May 1 after remaining shut for about two months.