The first industrial town in the country, Biratnagar, today celebrated its centenary of establishment.
Some 100 years ago, the eastern town of Nepal – that was like any other towns largely depending on agriculture – Biratnagar has transferred itself into an industrial town with the establishment of Biratnagar Jute Mill.
The jute mill that started the industrial revolution in the country has also supported the political revolution as it was one of the centre from where the labour strike started against Panchayat regime.
The expansion of industries – following Biratnagar Jute Mill – resulted in the formation of the Sunsari-Morang Industrial Corridor as the country’s first industrial corridor.
Currently, the 28-km long corridor houses more than 500 small and large industries that provide employment to around 100,000 individuals.
The reopening of the Biratnagar Jute Mill a couple of months ago, has encouraged the entrepreneurs, who are finding it difficult to get labourers at present.
Near the Indian border, the town is ideally placed also for export industries.
Near the Kolkata Port, it has not only an advantage of accessing international market, but also contributes one-third to the country’s total production and businesses.
After the completion of Bathnaha-Katari broad-gauge railway soon, planned special economic zone and integrated custom check post, the town is going to reemerge as the key trade and transit hub of the country and will be able to keep its glorious past alive.
However, the town needs more infrastructure and government attention to relive its past.