Most of the industrial plots in the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) estate have been lying vacant for the past 30 years.

The estate is beset with various problems including want of gas supply, dilapidated internal roads, lack of drains and inadequate financial support for entrepreneurs.

Sources in the BSCIC say the Bhola unit was constructed in 1989 on 14.86 acres of land in Char Nowabad of Bhola Sadar. A total of 93 industrial plots of various categories were prepared in the estate for distribution among entrepreneurs for setting up of industries. The industrial estate is situated in a place that has good communication facilities. The Bhola main road runs next to the estate, connecting the Bhola-Barishal and Bhola-Chottahram roads.

On the other hand, there is a big canal behind the industrial estate. The canal is connected with the rivers Meghna and Tetulia.

Seventy-four industrial plots had been distributed among entrepreneurs at that time. But only 11 of them set up small industries about 10 years ago. Later, six entrepreneurs shut their industries following various problems including non-availability of gas from the Bhola Shabajpur gas fields. Now, only five entrepreneurs run their factories there amidst various problems.

The internal roads of the industrial estate are in a dilapidated condition. They have not been repaired for the last two decades. Huge potholes have come up on the roads, making it difficult for vehicles to move. As a result, trucks and other goods vehicles are unable to enter the industrial estate.

In all these years, the authorities have not taken any initiative to resolve the problems, making entrepreneurs uninterested in investing there despite the estate’s good connectivity with Dhaka, Barishal and Chattogram.

The Independent met the estate’s deputy manager, Emadul Hossain, during a visit to the place. He said business people were not showing interest in the place because of want of gas supply and dilapidated road conditions within the estate.

He also said that the construction work of 200-metre drains were about to be completed for the estate’s sewer system.

Sources, however, say the government has taken up a programme to set up two economic zones in Bhola.

Masud Alom Siddque, deputy commissioner of Bhola, said that the government had sanctioned Tk. 69 lakh for the construction of a gas pipeline in the industrial estate.

Once it is constructed, the Sunderban Gas Supply Company would start supplying gas to the industrial zone.