Government Forms Task Force To Explore Revival Of Biratnagar Jute Mill After Years Of Closure
The government has formed an expert task force to assess the condition of the historic Biratnagar Jute Mill and explore options for bringing it back into operation. The committee will review its assets, machinery, liabilities and previous studies before submitting a revival strategy within one month.
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The Nepal government has taken steps to examine the possibility of restarting the Biratnagar Jute Mill, one of the country’s historic industrial establishments.
A meeting of secretaries from various ministries held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Monday decided to form an expert task force to study the mill’s current condition and recommend possible revival plans.
The task force has been formed under the coordination of the joint secretary responsible for public enterprises at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.
Task Force To Review Financial, Technical And Legal Status
The newly formed committee will conduct a detailed assessment of the mill, focusing on several key areas:
Physical infrastructure and condition of buildings
Existing machinery and production capacity
Assets and liabilities
Previous government studies and decisions
Legal and administrative challenges
Possible models for restarting operations
The review aims to determine whether the mill can realistically resume production and what steps would be required.
Report Expected Within One Month
The task force has been given one month to prepare and submit a report to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.
The report will include:
Options for reopening the mill
Possible operational models
Required government support
Strategies for long-term sustainability
Biratnagar Jute Mill’s Historical Importance
Established in 1936, Biratnagar Jute Mill is considered one of Nepal’s oldest industrial enterprises.
The mill played a major role in Nepal’s early industrial development and provided employment opportunities to thousands of workers.
However, years of financial problems, management challenges, political interference and operational difficulties led to its decline and eventual shutdown.
Revival Efforts Continue After Years Of Uncertainty
Over the years, multiple governments have discussed plans to revive the mill, but previous attempts faced challenges related to investment, management and infrastructure.
The latest government initiative aims to determine whether the historic industry can be brought back into operation through a practical and sustainable approach.
Published Aug 10 in Nepal