Kaligandaki Oxygen Gas Industry (KOGI) started production from its plant in Pokhara Industrial Zone began from Friday itself. It had started trial production three months ago. Twelve businessmen have invested Rs 60 million in the industry.
The demand for oxygen gas from infrastructure sector is increasing in recent years. Madhav Bastakoti, director of KOGI, said they invested in oxygen gas plant, anticipating that the demand for oxygen from infrastructure and hydropower projects will increase in coming years. “Oxygen gas is a must for metal cutting and welding works,” Bastakoti said.
KOGI has the capacity to produce 500 cylinders a day. It, however, is producing only around 100 cylinders a day at present. It bottles oxygen in both small and big cylinders.
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KOGI is the second oxygen industry in the country after Pokhara Oxygen Gas Industry. According to conservative estimate, 80 percent of oxygen produced by the local industries will be consumed by the industrial sector and remaining 20 sector by the health sector.
Though the prime objective of the industry is to produce gas required for industrial purpose, it also produces nitrogen and liquid nitrogen. “Nitrogen is used to preserve food items. Similarly, liquid nitrogen are used for artificial reproduction in animals,” Bastakoti added.
KOGI plans to send its products to markets in Gandaki and Dhaulagiri zones. It has already designated five authorized distributors. The industry currently employs 14 people. It has taken 2 ropani of land in Pokhara Industrial Zone on lease for 40 years. The industry has imported 3,000 cylinders from China. It has invested Rs 30 million to purchase cylinders alone.
