Birgunj, January 17

The business community based in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya industrial corridor has called on the government to come up with alternative measures to manage the excessive power outage that has put their businesses on the verge of closure.

Around 2,000 small and big industries are in operation in the corridor. Industries here have been hit not only by the severe power shortage but also by the ongoing agitation organised by the Madhes-based political parties, according to President of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries Pradeep Kumar Kedia.

It is really unfortunate for the industrial sector that authority concerned does not feel it necessary to come up with alternative arrangements for providing power to industries during the severe energy crisis, he said.

Kedia also urged the government to introduce immediate and long-term plans to address the severe energy crisis that has hit the entire country including the industrial sector.

A large number of people working in industries based in Birgunj-Pathlaiya corridor are likely to become jobless if alternative measures are not taken immediately to supply power to the corridor for more hours through an alternative channel.

At present, the corridor is being provided electricity for just six hours in a day despite Nepal Electricity Authority’s promise to provide power for eight hours, forcing the industries to significantly slash down production.