Pabna North Bengal Paper Mill closed due to losses

Pabna Correspondent: Due to losses, the then government closed the North Bengal Paper Mill at Ishwardi in Pabna. Later, several attempts were made to start the mill, but it did not see the light of day. The operation of the mill has been completely stopped this time for the safety purpose of Rooppur nuclear power plant. The mill land has already been handed over to the Rooppur nuclear power project stakeholders. The 56-year journey of North Bengal's largest and traditional North Bengal Paper Mill has come to an end. Two officials working in this office left immediately after the transfer of land. Ishwardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) PM Imrul Kayes said, “The mill site has already been handed over. Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) officials have left the mill area.” Sirajul Islam, who is in charge of the managing director of North Bengal Paper Mill, said, "After the transfer of land, as we no longer have work in this mill, we BCIC officials have joined the head office." According to information, North Bengal Paper Mill was established in 1966 on 133 acres of land on the north side of Pakshi Hardinge Bridge. It was once one of the heaviest industries in the North. It started producing paper in 1972 after independence. Later in 1975 the production of the mill started in full swing. At one time, more than a thousand workers worked in this mill. The then BNP-led four-party coalition government stopped production of the mill in 2002 due to losses. Since then, initiatives have been taken to launch it at various times, but later it was not possible to launch it. Although the mill was closed, some officials were employed here for official work. Local resident and school teacher Amirul Islam said, “Pakshi Paper Mill was the first step in the development of this region. The mill was associated with the happy and sad memories of the people of this region. While heavy industrial factories are being created in different countries of the world. At that time this traditional paper mill was extinguished forever and an irreparable loss was caused.”