BUTWAL, July 25:Industrial Districts Management Ltd (IDML) has initiated the expansion of Butwal industrial area in response to pressure from industrialists.

The initiation for converting forest area spread over 240 ropanis and 300 ropanis on the southern and northern part of the district had been taken previously. The decision to request IDML for approval and initiation of industrial area expansion had been made in an all-party meeting seven years ago. 

 “We have decided to put forward the initiation proposal on the basis of all-party decision and request from industrialists,” said Tul Bahadur Rana, manager of IDML, Butwal. Butwal Industrial District Management Ltd (BIDML) had presented a proposal to the Ministry of Industry earlier. 

Rana said the job would be easier after the cabinet decides on providing forest area for industrial expansion. The expansion was halted as they were against the idea of providing forest area for industrial purpose. 

“Even if the southern part is not allowed for the purpose, it will be understandable to have the expansion in northern part spread over 300 ropanis,” he told Republica. “The northern part consists of shrubs and not much trees.” Manager Rana said that the industrial area is spread over 434 ropanis of land with 67 industries. If the expansion can be done in 300 ropanis of land, 40 industries could be added in the district. 

The area east to the Butwal Thread Factory had been provided to Butwal sub-metropolitan for making into slaughter house by BIDML. Sub-metropolitan was interested in construction of infrastructure for slaughter house but it has not come into operation. 

Rana informed that industrialists are putting pressure on taking back 20 ropanis of land out of 28 ropanis. Rana has an estimation of establishment of 10 industries in 20 ropanis of land, two ropanis for each.  

Initiation to utilize barren land 
Similarly, to the east-south part of Butwal Thread Factory, 37 ropanis of land are not in use till now. Rana said if the land is put in use, 10 small and medium enterprises could be operated. “MoI had permitted to put the land in use but the improper modality of work prevented the idea,” Rana told Republica. 

After the agreement with MoI, IDML had selected and provided land to industrialists of their choice, which had created problem. Past president of Rupandehi Industry Association, Azaj Alam said that the work was halted after the decision of IDML was protested at the local level.

Preparation for DPR proceeded in Motipur 
The preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) after the feasibility study and land confirmation three new industrial areas including Motipur of Rupandehi has been processed. DPR of industrial areas of Makawanpur and Naubasta of Banke have been

processed. 
Nepal government has put forward the policy of establishing at least one industrial area in a province. DPR of districts having completed the feasibility study after searching and acquiring the land have been proceeded. 

According to IDML President Nandakishor Basnet, Mayurdhap of Makawanpur, Motipur of Butwal, Maubasta of Banke, and Daiji of Kanchanpur are managed for industrial areas. Land ownership certificates have been issued to IDML for Motipur in Butwal, Mayurdhap in Makawanpur and Naubasta of Banke with 813, 200 and 338 bighas of land respectively which is in the stage of DPR. 

 
• expansion
 
• butwal
 
• industrial expansion