Gaighat, November 1

Udayapur Cement Industry, the biggest cement factory in the country, has been shut owing to shortage of raw materials and fuel in Udaypur of late.

Ram Bahadur GC, an officer at the factory, said they were compelled to shut the factory due to the shortage of coal, gypsun and petroleum products. “We ran out of raw materials before Dashain. We will resume production only when supply of raw materials and other essential items resumes,” he clarified.

Nabal Kishor Sah, senior official of the factory, said there was no possibility of importing raw materials as long as the Madhes agitation continues. “We can’t resume resume production until the Tarai unrest cools down and everything returns to normal,” said Sah.

The industry, with production capacity of 8,000 metric tons per day, had slashed its production to 300-500 metric tons. However, production came to a grinding halt following shortage of coal and other raw materials that are imported from India.

Gyan Bahadur Karki, a staffer at the factory, said they were only distributing cement in their stock.

Meanwhile, chairman of the factory Bimal Karki said cement production had been adversely affected for want of raw materials. “The production as well as sales have dropped heavily causing huge loss to the factory due to the prolonged strike in the plains,” he said.