The pesticide unit of Nagarjuna Agrichem Private Limited (NACL) was re-opened on Monday and operations resumed amid tight security in and around the plant, 12 km from here.
There was heavy deployment of police in 12 villages in the vicinity to prevent any incidents.
The company closed down its operations after a fire broke out in one of the boilers on June 30, in which several employees were injured.
There was panic in the surrounding villages and people fled for safety that day.
Permission obtained
Subsequently, two months ago, the company obtained permission to restart work from the AP Pollution Control Board and the inspector of factories after submitting a detailed plan on safety measures. However, it could not start operations due to opposition from locals.
The boiler was re-lit on Monday, in the presence of NACL Vice-President K.G Vadivelu, DGM P. Kanaka Rao and other officials.
Full production
Production is slated to begin from Tuesday evening as the company is yet to complete overhaul of the machinery.
It will take a couple of weeks for the company to resume operations on a full scale, according to sources.
Nagarjuna Agrichem Limited Vyatireka Porata Samiti deplored the heavy presence of police force despite the locals agitating peacefully.
The agitation of 2,000 NACL workers to reopen the factory has forced the district administration to give its assent for restarting production despite stiff resistance from the locals.
sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in