The government has initiated the process of establishing an industrial area in Shaktikhor, Chitwan, to facilitate the country’s manufacturing sector, whose contribution to the economic output has been declining of late.

Spread on around 401.3 hectares of land, the industrial area is being set up as per the government’s policy to establish at least one such unit in each of the provinces of the country.

“We will initially measure the exact plot of the land that needs to be handed 

over and extend the land ownership certificate to the industrial area,” said Nanda Kishor Basnet, chairman and general manager of the Industrial District Management Limited, the state-owned body which oversees all the industrial areas in the country. “After that the foundation stone of the industrial area will be laid.”

Within 15 days of laying the foundation stone, the process of preparing detailed project report (DPR) of the industrial area will be initiated, according to Basnet. The DPR will spell out the amount that needs to be invested to build the industrial area. The construction of the industrial area will be completed within four years, as per Basnet.

Around a year ago, the Chitwan Industry Association, on the basis of consultation with all stakeholders, had recommended that an industrial area be established in Chitwan. Based on this recommendation, a Cabinet meeting held on February 14 had approved a decision to set up the industrial area.

The decision to establish an industrial area in Shaktikhor has been welcomed by 

local politicians, industrialists and entrepreneurs. 

“We will expedite construction of this project,” Basnet said, adding, “Shaktikhor 

will soon become an industrial hub.”

Along with development of the industrial area, there are plans to establish a university on vocational education on 80.2 hectares near the industrial area.

“This university will churn out manpower required for the industrial area,” Basnet said.

The first industrial area in Nepal was established at Balaju in Kathmandu in 1960 through the support of the US government. Currently, there are 11 industrial areas in the country in Balaju, Patan, Hetauda, Dharan, Nepalgunj, Pokhara, Butwal, Bhaktapur, Birendranagar and Gajendranarayan Singh (Rajbiraj) and Dhankuta. However, the one in Dhankuta has not come into operation till date.

The industrial areas provide facilities of industrial sheds and warehouses. 

They also have blacktopped roads, drainage facility, and ensure power and water supply. The industrial areas also house banks, health clinic, post office, child care centre and canteen to facilitate manufacturing units that are set up there.