Oxygen plants shut due to policy hurdle
Summary
Oxygen plants in the Sunsari-Morang industrial corridor have shut down or cut production, creating shortages for hospitals and industry. Producers say government policies favoring liquid oxygen plants and rising operating losses have forced traditional manufacturers to suspend operations.
Key Points
- Six oxygen plants in the Sunsari-Morang industrial corridor were operating at full capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, but several have now shut down or reduced output.
- Pawan Sharda says government policy and the promotion of liquid oxygen plants have hurt traditional oxygen industries and contributed to the shortage.
- Binayak Oxygen Industry and Baba Oxygen have both been closed, while Bhagwati-Bhajuratna has also shut its plant due to equipment failure.
- Hospitals in Biratnagar and nearby industries are facing shortages as oxygen demand remains high.
