Businesses returning to normal in Dolakha

DOLAKHA, AUG 09

Businesses affected by the April 25 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks are gradually returning to normal.

Hotel Kuber, the biggest in the district, plans to resume operations from August 18 after repairing the damaged portion of its building, while Panorama Resort has restarted operations with new models of cottages and tents. Suvechchha and Ashirbad Hotels too are welcoming guests.

About 99 percent of the hotels in the district were damaged by the quake. “Now, around 50 percent of the hotels have resumed operation. So there are no accommodation-related problems for tourists,” said Sundar Karki, president of the Regional Hotel Association, Dolakha .

Most of the hotels in Charikot and Kalinchowk and a few in Jiri and Singati have resumed operations. “Zurich View Hotel in Jiri can be seen crowded by the guests,” said Bhumi Raj Khadka, a hotel entrepreneur.

Debris of the damaged infrastructure are being cleared in Charighyang, where most of the hotels are based.

A famous hotel in the area, Hotel Sangam, is planning to reopen immediately after the completion of repair and maintenance, according to proprietor Sudarsan Karki.

Another Hotel Shailung in the same area is being repaired.

All the banks and cooperatives of Charikot have already reopened. Services have been resumed by placing four bank branches in a single house. But about one and half dozen banks have not yet started providing loans to businesses.

Hem Raj Rimal, general secretary of Dolakha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said most of the businesses in Charikot have resumed operations, while many in Jiri and Singati are still closed.

The quake has affected small and cottage industry heavily. Of the total 1,387 such industries, about 1,100 have been badly affected, according to Mani Ram Nepal, director at the Cottage and Small Industry Office in Dolakha . Only 5 percent of total cottage and small industries have resumed operations.

According to the Cottage and Small industry Federation, the entrepreneurs have been making efforts to revive the industries. The enterprises produce Dhaka, Allo, stick noodles, soap, and Sisnu floor, among others. About 1,500 people were employed in these industries before the tremors.

Source: The Kathmandu Post