Birgunj, August 25
A government task force formed to assess the feasibility of reopening the long-shuttered Birgunj Sugar Factory conducted an on-site inspection of the factory premises on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies formed the task force on August 18 to study the possibility of resuming operations at the factory. The team visited the factory to assess its current condition, existing structures and infrastructure required for reopening.
The task force will study the factory’s current status, past government decisions, previous studies and reports prepared on its possible reopening, and the steps that would need to be taken going forward.
During the inspection, the team examined buildings, structures, machinery, equipment and spare parts at the factory. It will also assess their current condition and determine whether they can be reused if the factory resumes operations.
The study will cover potential investment requirements, repair and reconstruction of infrastructure, and the condition of machinery and infrastructure required for production.
The task force is coordinated by Shrikant Yadav, a chief divisional engineer at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. Section Officer Jyoti Paudel and ministry adviser Shyam Sharma are members.
The task force has been given 15 days to submit its report to the ministry. Based on its study, including the site inspection, it will recommend whether the factory can be reopened, the procedures required and a possible action plan.
The Birgunj Sugar Factory has remained closed for years, causing its assets and infrastructure to deteriorate. Although reopening the factory has been discussed repeatedly, no concrete decision or implementation has followed.
The government is expected to make further decisions based on the task force’s report, which is expected to provide technical, financial and managerial grounds for determining the factory’s future.
—Safal Khatiwada
