Parliamentary committee shows concern over problems of industrial area

LAHAN, September 20: The House of Representatives, Industry, Commerce, Labour and Consumer Interest Committee has shown concern over the problems seen in the Gajendra Narayan Singh Industrial Zone at Rupani rural municipality of Saptari district.

A team of the committee led by its president Bimal Shreebastav inspected the industrial area today, and interacted with the management side, local people's representatives and the civic society in connection with the issues related to the industrial estate. The team comprises Shreebastav and members Sarita Kumari Giri, Pradip Saha and Sujata Pariyar. It will give suggestions to the government on the issues concerning the industrial zone. 

At the interaction programme, Industrial Zone Management Office chief Deepak Raj Acharya said the industries have not flourished since the Department of Industries has not taken a policy decision about this as yet. 

"However, the industrial zone has started to transform since some days thanks to the cooperation from the locals, the civil society, political parties and journalists," he said, adding that the trend of setting up new industries in the industrial zone is gradually increasing.

Milan Dairy, Mahalaxmi Paints, Usha Water Processing Industry and Koshi Polymers Industry are operating inside the industrial zone at present.

"The problem of security and drainage is as it was before. But the problem of electricity and water supply has been addressed," Acharya said. A water tank with the capacity of 150 thousand litres has been constructed in the industrial zone.
Rs 50 million was allocated for the development of the industrial estate during the tenure of then Minister for Industry, Matrika Prasad Yadav. 

The work of land plotting has been completed for expansion of 14 new industries and the process of operating new industries has been started. 

Most of the roads inside the industrial zone have become dilapidated. The industrial zone was established 34 years back. The roofs and other structures inside the area need repair, which requires Rs 133.5 million.

Acharya urged the parliamentary committee to take initiation for allocation of this amount. 

Meanwhile, the industrial zone is facing the problem of inundation after the Province no 2 government started constructing physical infrastructures close to it. The province government has constructed the Martyrs Memorial adjacent to the industrial zone which has blocked the drain.