#Business #Industry #Nepal #EconomicCrisis
A cement plant in Hetauda has temporarily shut down production since last Friday due to equipment failure that occurred four weeks ago. The plant faced financial difficulties in purchasing raw materials such as coal and other supplies, which hindered cement production for the past month.
The plant’s management had resumed production four weeks ago but had to halt operations again for maintenance of crucial equipment and procurement of necessary supplies. Vin Kumar Karn, the general manager of the plant, informed that production would resume within a week after the required repairs and acquisitions.
The current pause in cement production was attributed to a breakdown in the production line caused by a technical fault in the equipment. Karn explained that the plant was established in Hetauda’s Lamusure area by the previous government in 2033 BS. Commercial cement production began on Mangsir 26, 2043 BS, with an initial investment of NPR 1.5 billion allocated by the government.
Although the plant previously produced 18,000 bags of cement daily, it now produces only 12,000 bags due to the wearing out of various equipment. The management of the plant emphasized that despite the reduction in production, it has provided stable employment opportunities to approximately 200 staff members in administration, finance, technical, and labor sectors.
The plant sources raw materials like limestone, coal, and clay for cement production from Bhaise, Okhreni, and Jogimara in Makwanpur, Dhading, and Hetauda, respectively. The plant processes these materials into cement by crushing and blending them daily.
Ramesh Khatri, a representative of Kansai Nepal News, expressed concerns about the impact of the production halt on the local economy and job market in the region. He highlighted the importance of timely maintenance and efficient supply chain management in sustaining industrial operations to avoid disruptions that could affect the livelihoods of workers and the community at large.
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: May 10, 2025 3:00 am
