'Need smooth power supply to meet demand'

KATHMANDU:

At a time when the government is gearing up to distribute corrugated sheets for the earthquake victims across the country to build temporary shelters, local businesses engaged in manufacturing corrugated sheets have said they can produce sufficient quantity to cater to the domestic demand if the government ensures abundant power supply.

Currently, four such domestic companies — Aarati Strips, Hulas Steels, Rajesh Metal Craft (RMC) and Bhagwati Steels — have been producing 1,000 to 1,200 tonnes of corrugated sheets every day. The total per day production capacity of the companies is enough to construct at least 4,000 shelters, according to Rajesh Agrawal, managing director of RMC Pvt Ltd.

However, the factories are reported to be operating at about 70 per cent of their capacity, primarily due to power shortage. The manufacturers claim that if the government ensures power supply for 24 hours, they can increase their production to up to 1,500 tonnes every day.

It is said that one needs five bundles (one bundle equals 72 feet) of corrugated sheets to build a temporary shelter that can accommodate around five people comfortably. “Corrugated sheets are normally three-foot wide and six- to 12-foot long,” informed Agrawal.

Companies have been producing more corrugated sheets targeting the higher demand in the market. All the factories have resumed operation after the devastating earthquake of April 25 and by the second week of May, they had reportedly supplied 10,000 tonnes of corrugated sheets in the market.

“We are well aware of the demand in the market and are doing our bit to ensure there is no shortage or black marketing in this dire situation,” said Agrawal.

Factories have pledged to provide 700 tonnes of corrugated sheets per day to the government as the latter is going to distribute sheets for construction of temporary shelters for the earthquake victims. Going by the official data, 600,000 houses across the country have suffered either partial or total damage in the quake.

According to Rishi Raj Koirala, joint secretary of Ministry of Industry, Aarati Strips has committed to provide 300 tonnes of corrugated sheets, Hulas (250 tonnes), RMC (100 tonnes) and Bhagwati (50 tonnes) every day to the government, which is about 70 per cent of their total production.

According to the producers, they have pledged to provide bundles of 40 kg at Rs 4,800 to the government.

“The cost varies with the weight of the bundle,” Agrawal explained. “The manufacturers have been selling 50 kg bundles at Rs 5,700.”

The government has decided to extend Rs 15,000 to each family, who has been rendered homeless due to the earthquake, to buy corrugated sheets for temporary shelters. From this grant, each family can purchase at least three bundles of the corrugated sheets.

Source: THT