BSCIC industrial estate struggles with inadequate facilities in Laxmipur 

LAXMIPUR, Oct 30: The Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) industrial estate in Laxmipur  is struggling with inadequate facilities, poor infrastructure and mismanagement 29 years after its establishment, hampering industrial development.

The estate faces a shortage of gas and water, damaged internal roads, poor drainage, frequent power outages and inadequate security. Business owners said their complaints to the authorities had brought little relief.

Established on 16 acres of land in Banchanagar area under the Laxmipur municipality in 1997, the industrial estate was intended to create jobs and promote economic development. Plot allocation began in 2000.

According to BSCIC sources, 99 plots were allocated for 54 industrial units in three phases. Around 30 units are currently operational.

The estate, located beside the Laxmipur-Raipur regional highway, has no main entrance gate or boundary wall. Its internal roads are riddled with potholes, making it difficult for trucks and other vehicles to transport goods. Water accumulates in several places after rainfall, while garbage-filled drains attract mosquitoes and flies.

The lack of a boundary wall has also raised security concerns, particularly among women workers, amid reports of theft and snatching.

The estate houses oil mills, bakeries, chocolate factories, soybean processing plants, automatic rice mills and lubricant repackaging units.

Abdur Rahman, an industrial unit owner, said damaged roads were causing difficulties in transporting raw materials and finished products. He also complained about stagnant water and the lack of an effective drainage and sewage disposal system.

Abdul Quddus, an employee of Mitali Bakery, said road repairs were often temporary, with damaged sections deteriorating again within a short time.

Belal Hossain, an administrator of Bhaiya Group, said stagnant water in the drains created conditions for mosquitoes and germs to breed, raising health concerns. He added that poor roads also disrupted the movement of goods between factories.

Md Jewel Chowdhury, industrial estate officer of BSCIC in Laxmipur , said the authorities had applied for a main gate and a security guard.

He said substantial roadwork had been completed over the past two fiscal years and expressed hope that further work over the next two fiscal years would resolve the remaining problems.

Work on a dedicated dumping yard is underway, while a drain being constructed by the municipality is nearing completion, he added. Streetlights have also been installed.

Chowdhury said the BSCIC office was providing entrepreneurs with advice and technical assistance and urged those who had received plots but had yet to start operations to take the necessary steps.