Q1: Fertiliser plant making ammonium sulphate employing gypsum-ammonia reaction (usual practice is to use ammonia and sulphuric acid) is located at

ANS:C - Sindri (under FCI)

Sindri is a town located in the Dhanbad district of the Indian state of Jharkhand. It is notable for hosting one of the oldest and largest fertilizer plants in India, established by the Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCI). The Sindri fertilizer plant was one of the pioneering units in India's efforts towards achieving self-sufficiency in fertilizer production. The Sindri fertilizer plant was commissioned in 1952 and played a significant role in the Green Revolution in India by producing essential fertilizers like urea, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium phosphate. It primarily utilized indigenous raw materials like coal, limestone, and gypsum to produce fertilizers. One of the processes employed at the Sindri plant was the manufacture of ammonium sulfate using the gypsum-ammonia reaction. In this process, gypsum (calcium sulfate) obtained from local sources was reacted with ammonia to produce ammonium sulfate, which is a nitrogenous fertilizer. However, despite its historical significance and contributions to the agricultural sector, the Sindri fertilizer plant faced operational challenges and financial difficulties over the years. It ceased production in the early 1990s due to various factors, including obsolete technology, environmental concerns, and economic viability issues. Efforts have been made to revive the Sindri fertilizer plant and utilize its infrastructure for modern fertilizer production. The Government of India has undertaken initiatives to revitalize closed fertilizer units and enhance domestic fertilizer production capacity to meet the growing demand for agricultural inputs.