Himalayan News Service

Rajbiraj, April 24:

Rajbiraj Industrial Area (RIA), established with the Indian support in 1987, has only four industries currently operational in its premises. Deepak Polymers, Deepak Plastic Factory, Sangrila Cottage Industry and Bishal Nikita Metal Industries are the only factories currently running in the RIA. One of the factories established here 10 years ago is ‘S and Co Eletrodros Pvt Ltd’ which is taken over by Nepal Industrial Development Company (NIDC). Sri Crafted Factory, another firm in the RIA, is also non-operational due to its managerial problems, says acting-RIA manager Subarna Lal Joshi. Likewise, Mahalaxmi Foods and Nepal Ayurvedic Medicine Pvt Ltd are also taken over by NIDC after they failed to pay the rent. The RIA itself is using eight buildings, including electricity sub-station building, bank, canteen, guesthouse and staff quarters. However, It is trying to lure businessmen to establish factories here but the ongoing economic recession is making it difficult, he says.

On the otherhand, businessmen complain that the poor road condition makes it difficult for them to bring raw materials and to dispatch finished products to the market. Bijaya Kumar Das, the general secretary of Saptari Chambers of Commerce and Industries says, ‘Rajbiraj-Kunauli road is in bad condition and the collapsed bridges need repair.” He said the condition of the road would make it difficult for them to reach Indian towns of Dharbhanga, Madhubani and Patna. Joshi says that the RIA has basic facilities like water, electricity and telephone services but it still failed to attract the entrepreneurs. “And the rent of an industrial building is just Rs 4,500 per month.” The RIA has the area of 294 ropanis of land, where upto 10 more factories can be established. And the 123 ropanis of the land is still unoccupied.”