Khulna Newsprint Mills completes 15 yrs of closure

KHULNA, Dec 3: The last whistle was ringed of Khulna Newsprint Mills on November30, 2002. At the time the mill was closed by the tears of thousands of workers. Later 15 years has been passed through hopes and promise. Today the mill has completed 15 years of its closure. But the mill is limited to the promised commitment. Workers and employees are passing their days with the hope of launching the mill. The valuable equipment of the mill is being destroyed due to improper care. Besides, the expenditure is more than Tk 1.4 million per month in this closed mill.
Meanwhile, the construction of a new paper mill has been under progress for a long time at Khulnanews Print Mill with a production capacity of 45,000 to 48,000 tonnes a day at the cost of Tk 8.50 billion and there is significant progress in this regard. On the other hand, the process of establishing a new paper on the land of the mill and the construction of Combined Cycle power station in the unused 50 acres of land (750-800) MW capacity is underway. North-West Power Generation Company will build the power station. In this regard, on September 4, the Ministry of Industries has proposed a letter on 50 acres of land.
Mill worker Mohammad Abdur Rafiq said, "The area was full of spectacles in large number of workers and employees while the mill was running. But the mill deserted and there is no charm at all. I heard that the mill will be introduced. Many labourers are waiting for the hope. Many people went to different tasks. And some have died. Many people are unemployed because they cannot work." He urged the government for immediate launch of the mill.
Head of Project (Acting) Md Nurullah Bahar said that there is a proposal to build a paper mill with a production capacity of 45,000 tonnes at the Khulna Newsprint Mill. There are four officers and 12 employees, and about 50 including their own security personnel and Ansar are in the closed mill. He said, the cost of electricity and other expenditure is being spent Tk 1.4 million per month.
Khulna Newsprint Mill was established in 1959 on 87.61 acres of land on the banks of Bhairab River in Khalishpur industrial area of the city. Of these, the main mill is situated on 34.43 acres of land. Khulna Newsprint School, mosque, madrasa, residential area, employees' and workers' quarters, playground, recreation center and other establishments are on remain 53 acres of land. Of them Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) is going to sell 50 acres of land to Bangladesh Power Development Board for the construction of the power station, the ministry has chosen the unused area of newsprint mills. In the meeting of the board on March 22, 2015, policy decisions were taken in this regard.
[email protected]