January 11: Preparations are underway to increase the production capacity of Udayapur Cement Industry, which has failed to take advantage of being among the top choice industry among the consumers. The industry, which is in loss of more than Rs 4 billion, aims to increase its current production capacity to 800 tons per day. At present, the industry is producing an average of 350 tons of cement daily.

Newly-appointed General Manager Gopi Krishna Neupane, who has been in charge since Tuesday, said that there are problems including upgrading the 30 year-old factory with new technology, turning a factory in loss into a profitable company and regulating coal and gypsum import. However, he said that they are preparing strategies to resolve the problems by increasing production capacity to compensate for the loss.

He said that the industry, which has already established its name and has high demand, now has to compete with the private sector as well. Therefore, the industry has realized the need for immediate, medium and long-term strategies. “Even if we produce 800 tons of cement from the stock of limestone that we have, it will be enough for 300 years,” Neupane said, adding, “The goal is to make the best use of this resource and to supply quality products to the consumers by competing with the private sector.”

As per the decision of the Council of Ministers a few days ago, the government is ready to give Neupane a tenure of up to four years if he can make the industry profitable. The industry is also preparing to make the price of Udayapur Cement, which is being sold in the market under Gaidachhap brand, competitive.