Industries move out as Biratnagar loses its industrial base
Summary
Biratnagar’s old factories are shutting down and new industries are moving to surrounding municipalities, as land scarcity, urban expansion and weak investor confidence reshape the city’s industrial base. Industrialists are calling for a designated industrial estate and broader revival of the Sunsari Morang Industrial Corridor.
Key Points
- Chandra Shiva Rice and Oil Mill has moved from Biratnagar to Hattimuda, reflecting the broader migration of industries out of the city.
- Older factories such as Biratnagar Jute Mill, Ashok Textile and match and cotton plants have largely closed since the late 1990s.
- Industrialists blame political interference, competition from Indian industries, land shortages and electricity problems for the sector’s decline.
- Business leaders say the government should revive the Sunsari Morang Industrial Corridor and create a dedicated industrial zone to restore investor confidence.
