KATHMANDU: Factories based at the Hetauda Industrial Estate have not been able to operate at full capacity as deliveries of raw materials have been cut off due to the long-running banda in the Tarai. Most of the factories have slashed production by more than 50 percent while a few factories related to lemicotes, MS polymer have have had to close down for lack of raw materials.
Some factories have been keeping open by bringing raw materials through the Bhairahawa customs points instead of their regular and shorter route via Birgunj.
“Due to lack of raw materials, many factories have been closed while a few are operating by cutting down production massively,” said Lekharaj Pokharel, general secretary of the Hetauda Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Importing raw materials through the Bhairahawa route has pushed up the cost of production for industries. They are also having a hard time exporting their products to India and shipping them to other parts of Nepal.
Export industries have stored their products in their warehouses as delivery is difficult. “Closing down industries has been a popular method of mounting pressure on the government,” complained Rishi Ram Ghimire, president of the Hetauda Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “The government has closed factories even when seeking advice on the draft constitution.”
Before the strikes in the Tarai, industries were closed for two weeks due to the April 25 earthquake. Factories located inside the industrial zone employ 4,500 people.
