Production at Ghorashal-Palash urea fertiliser factory, the largest of its kind in southeast Asia, remained suspended since Thursday due to a technical glitch, raising concern among people over a potential fertiliser shortage.

Sources at the factory, said the operation of the factory was halted around 2am on Thursday (October 30) following a technical fault, bringing urea production to a complete standstill.

Since then the factory has been unable to produce its usual 2,800 metric tons of urea fertiliser per day.

Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) Chairman Md Fazlur Rahman and Industries Secretary Mohammad Obaidur Rahman visited the factory on Saturday .

Factory General Manager (Technical) Sarfaraz Khan said, “No urea has been produced since then. To identify the cause of the malfunction, a three-member investigation committee has been formed. The committee has been asked to submit its findings and recommendations within three days,” he said.

General Manager (Commercial) Atikur Rahman Khan said the factory had around 24,000 metric tons of urea in stock — both bagged and loose — before production stopped.

Last fiscal year, the factory had a target of producing 8 lakh metric tons but achieved 8.16 lakh metric tons ,he said.

The plant has an annual production capacity of 10 lakh metric tons, he added.

General Manager (Administration) Md Fakhrul Alam said the facility exceeded its production target last fiscal year despite being newly commissioned.

Production was temporarily halted on Thursday due to a sudden technical fault.

“We expect production to resume soon. Given the stockpile, the temporary shutdown is unlikely to cause any major fertiliser shortage,” he said.

 The factory was officially inaugurated on November 12, 2023.