Birendranagar Industrial Zone Hard Hit by Power Shortage

June 14: The continuing power outage and weak management have caused six industries at Birendranagar industrial zone to close down. According to the industrialists, the main reason for the closure of industries is the power shortage in the industrial area. Rishi Bhattarai, share member of Bandhu Plastic Company said, “The machines of industries are damaged due to irregularities in electricity supply. It is essential for the factories to get electricity through separate electricity lines."

The industries are not able to produce as per their capacities. Bhattarai said," Due to the acute power cut, it is difficult to provide facilities to the employees. We are forced to provide salaries to the workers even without any work."  "So, we have decided to close industries rather than to keep operating in losses", he added.  According to other industry operators, factories have been closed down due to the problem in power supply over the last 2-3 years.

According to the management of the industrial zone, Bandhu Plastic Company, Om Vanier Industries and Trimuti Auto Industries are closed due to power shortage. Similarly, Deuti Handmade Paper, Chandra Jal Gems Pvt. Ltd and Samrat Poultry Farms are also in the same list. The industrial area of Surkhet has no facility of 'single feeder' power supply as other industrial areas of the country.

Currently, there are 23 industries operating in Birendranagar Industrial Zone. According to the industry directors, the industries of the area are closed down due to the neglect by the government. However, the management of the industrial zone maintains that the owners of industrialists need to immediately restart the operation of their factories. The management has issued an ultimatum  for the close industries either to re-start or  leave the area. The management team is attempting to replace the closed industries with new industries.