DAMAK, March 2: Land acquisition process for the ‘Damak Clean Green Industrial Park’ at Damak, Gauradaha and Kamala areas of Jhapa district has commenced. 

The park that is set to cost Rs 333 billion will spread over a land area of 2,200 bigha. Total 932 bigha of land has already been acquired in the name of the Industrial Estate Management Limited (IEML). Likewise, a notice has been issued for the acquisition of additional 366 bigha of land. 

According to IEML president Nanda Kishor Basnet, the evaluation committee formed at the local level will give compensation for the acquired land. 

The chief district officer (CDO), survey officers, and land revenue officers will evaluate the acquired land to decide on the compensation money. Total Rs 320 million has been set aside as compensation money for FY2017/18 by the IEML. 

A notice was issued at the local level in the first week of February restricting buying and selling of land in the area.

The process of land acquisition
Once the land has been acquired in the name of the Industrial Estate Management Limited, it will call for contractors to construct the infrastructure of the park and the estate. Afterwards, the industrial park and industries will be set up through local and private initiatives. 

According to Basnet, the park will be constructed through a collaborative funding from locals and Chinese investors. A blue print for the construction has already been prepared and on that basis, various infrastructures will be developed. 

Meanwhile, Damak Municipality has announced that it would not impose taxes on the industries for a decade in an effort to attract foreign investment. The mayor of Damak Municipality, Romanath Oli stated that taxes have been waived for the sake of local development. 

“We have decided to waive taxes for 10 years, as we believe that the project will not only be beneficial for the district but the entire nation in the long run,” said Oli. 

“Although locals were initially skeptical about the completion of this large-scale project, they have become more hopeful as the land acquisition process has begun,” said Bodh Raj Neupane, chairperson of Damak Ward 10.  

Having investments through the Chinese One Belt One Road initiative, the industrial park is set to boast of nearly hundred industries. According to Govinda Thapa, president of the park, work has taken pace following the recent visit of Chinese officials to the site.

 
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