Birgunj, October 11:

Big industries in Birgunj-Pathlaiya industrial corridor are gradually closing down and shifting to India, Bang-ladesh and Sri Lanka in sea-rch of condusive business environment due to political instability, labour dispute and insecurity.

According to Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, eight out of the 19 industries has closed down during the last six months and moved, along with the machinery plants, to other South Asian countries. The Indian investors of Hanuman Metals, Triveni Petrochem, J Sons and Industries, Somani Industries, Ganga Industries, Pashupati Industries have returned home blaming insecurity and labour dispute.

Similarly, the management of Concept Pharma, Swodeshi Footwear, Rainbow Industries, Ajay Polymer, Pradip Polythene and Eastern Textiles have padlocked their factories after the labour dispute.

The Chamber said the country has lost around one billion rupees because of the closure of these industries. Even the industries, which are operating are incurring losses due to the shortage of power. Around half a dozen industries could not start their operation due to power shortage. Some of the industries that are into the manufacturing are operating — at least to pay back their interest — at a high cost using diesel generator.

“With the closure of these industries, unemployment has increased in Bara and Parsa,” said Ganesh Lath, president of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said the problem may become more serious in the next one or two years. The incidences of robbery and burglary have also increased in the areas around the industrial corridor. “Locals were found involved in such criminal activities,” said Gautam Mishra, police inspector at Sripur ward police office.

Krishna Refinery Industries, Rajhansha Vegetable Ghee Industries and Hanuman Metals have shifted its plant to Delhi, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, respectively. The entrepreneurs said the government has yet not shown any concern to the worsening situation.