Udayapur Cement back in production

Following a month-long renovation and upgrade, Nepal’s government-owned Udayapur Cement has resumed production.

The renovation was the first in the plant’s 31-year history and cost NPR90m.

"We've resumed our operations and have started to send our cement in the market," Surendra Paudel, the factory's general manager said, adding that they'd need to do maintenance in the next 10 years. "If we had maintained the factory regularly, we'd not have to spend such hefty price," Mr Paudel added.

Until two years ago, the 800tpd plant had produced less than half of its capacity, plagued by political interests and incurring repeated losses, according to Nepal Republic media. However, in the past two years, the company was able to raise production to 700tpd.

The new upgrade will enable the cement works to produce 850-900tpd.