Suvarna Pharmaceuticals property lies in ruins

BY HARI PRASAD KOIRALA, Urlabari, Dec.1: The building of Suvarna Pharmaceuticals at Karjuna of Sundarharaincha Municipality in Morang has been left in utter disarray. After the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences was established by the then government in Dharan, the foundation stone of Suvarna Pharmaceuticals was laid in 1998 to establish a pharmaceutical industry in the name of Suvarna Shumser Rana.

Dr. Shekhar Koirala, the then vice-chancellor of the institution, laid the foundation stone of the building, which was considered as a very ambitious project.

The work was stopped after the entire infrastructure work of the industry reached its final stage. A hospital was built in the name of BP Koirala. Pharmaceuticals, which was started with the intention of establishing a pharmaceutical industry in the name of Suvarna, had planned to build infrastructure by 2001 and start the production of pharmaceuticals from 2002.

Although more than 85 per cent of the industrial construction work has been completed, the pharmaceuticals have not been operated yet. Now the industrial building has turned into a ghost hideout. Out of the 13 bighas land owned by BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, the industrial building has been constructed on 2.5 bighas land. The building which was built at the cost of Rs. 340 million has 280 rooms on two floors.

Surya Prasad Sangraula, the registrar of the institute, said that it was a very big project of the institute. Necessary discussions are being held for its operation. Sangraula said that since he had only been here for three months, he could not conduct a detailed study. He said that there is a plan to establish pharmaceuticals to produce and distribute medicines for the eastern region.

According to Kamal Rayamajhi, head of the general administration branch of the institution, said that the institution had invested Rs. 48 million to open a pharmaceutical industry to create a permanent source of income.

However, due to lack of coordination between the partner organisations, the industry is not operating, said Rayamajhi. Stating that discussions are being held in the senate for re-operation, he said, “We are searching for partner investors.”  Gyanendra Giri, Vice-Chancellor of the institution, has taken initiation for this.

Millions worth of infrastructure and necessary technical materials of the building are being neglected. Krishna Prasad Neupane, the guard of the institution, said that the transformers worth millions have rusted.

The walls of the building have started to crack. Neupane, who has been sleeping alone in a room of the huge building, also said that encroachment on the land had increased. 

“I am alone, where to look. Stray animals have also made their shelter inside the building premises. The building has become a safe haven for addicted people.” Neupane said that the institution should take concrete steps to protect government property.