Kathmandu. The Supreme Court (SC) has decided to relocate industries operating within a 15-km radius of Lumbini region within two years.

A division bench of Justices Kumar Regmi and Sunil Pokharel passed the order on Monday.

Senior advocate Prakash Mani Sharma, executive chairman of Janhit Sanrakshan Manch, had filed a writ petition in 2075 BS seeking removal of industries operating in Lumbini area. The government has now stopped the permission to operate new industries in the area.

With the supreme court’s decision, a dozen industries including Arghakhanchi Cement, Jagadamba and Goenka operating in the area will be affected. An investment of around Rs 100 billion is estimated in the industry.