Govt aims PPP revival of Dinajpur and Darwani textile mills now in ruins

Dinajpur Textile Mills

• Closed for 19 years
• Machinery useless
• Buildings nearly in disrepair
• Health centre in a pitiful condition 
• Primary school closed 
• Only 1 supervisor, 8 security guards now employed 
• 5 warehouses rented out
• Only the land usable

Darwani Textile Mills

• Closed since 2022
• Machinery sold off last year
• Mill buildings require major repairs
• Only 1 supervisor, 16 daily-wage workers
• 3 of the 4 warehouses rented out
• Only the land usable

Wab Ali was resting on an old bamboo platform in the Sadarpur area beside the Dhaka–Rangpur highway. Just to the north stood the Dinajpur Textile Mills, separated only by the highway. Staring silently at the dilapidated building of the mill, the sixty-odd Wab murmured something under his breath.

As we started a conversation, Wab Ali said, "It amazes me to think so many years of my life passed working in that factory!"

The once bustling textile factory now lies in ruins, the atmosphere eerily still. A place once filled with energy now abandoned. 

Since the mill closed, Wab survives on day labour. Once, hundreds of people from across the country worked here, even settling in the area and forming friendships, he reminisced. Now he has little contact with them. 

News that the mill may reopen always gives him hope. Recently he has heard of several mills across the country being considered for reopening. "If I can see the Dinajpur Textile Mills fully running again in my lifetime, I will feel at peace," he said.

According to a public notice issued on 29 July, the government has taken an initiative to modernise and redevelop Dinajpur Textile Mills and Nilphamari's Darwani Textile Mills under a public–private partnership (PPP). To this end, the Public–Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), under the chief adviser's office, has called for competitive tenders from private investors.

Kazi Firoz Hossain, Chief Operating Officer and Project Director (PPP Project) of Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC), told TBS, "So far, four companies have expressed interest in the tenders for the two textile mills. These companies are reputed major business groups in the country, with strong business capacity."

Infographics: TBS

As the tender process is still ongoing, he declined to disclose their names but expressed hope for healthy competition in the bidding.

Meanwhile, sources at the textiles and jute ministry said a meeting has been convened on 20 August to review the progress of reopening Dinajpur Textile Mills and Nilphamari's Darwani Textile Mills under the PPP arrangement.

If implemented, the project will create new employment opportunities in the northern region and revive economic activity.

Dinajpur Textile Mills in disrepair

At present, Dinajpur Textile Mills lies in a dilapidated state. Spread over 38 acres and 56 decimals, the mill began its journey in 1978. At the time, the mill started with 25,000 Indian spindles, producing high-quality yarn of 20, 32, 40, 60 and 80 counts. 

It was recognised nationally several times as the 'best textile mill'. But in 2007, with a loss of Tk5 crore, the factory shut down. Since then its condition has only deteriorated.

Mill authorities say many workers have already reached retirement age during the nearly 19 years the Dinajpur mill has been closed. A few who were on contracts left due to unpaid wages. Five large warehouses once used for cotton and yarn are now rented out to private firms for storing maize.

Md Saiful Islam, manager and in-charge of Dinajpur Textile Mills, said, "The machinery here is now useless. The buildings are nearly abandoned due to lack of maintenance. The health centre is in a pitiful condition, and the primary school has also closed. I am the only officer posted here, simply for supervision. 

"There are only eight security guards for such a vast area. If someone sets up a factory here, perhaps only the land will be usable—nothing else. In every respect, the mill should be reopened, even by the private sector. That would at least create jobs."

Darwani Textile Mills in the same state

Once filled with bustle, sirens in the morning, and the sweat of thousands of workers, the Darwani Textile Mills in Nilphamari is now in a dire state. 

Three sides of the mill are surrounded by security walls, and the eastern side facing the Syedpur–Nilphamari road has a tin fence. The buildings stand derelict.

In 1980, the mill began operations with 25,056 German spindles at a cost of about Tk11.9 crore. It was once a source of pride for the northern region, producing quality yarn and building a market at home and abroad. 

In 1995, citing losses, it was shut down, leaving over a thousand workers and officials unemployed. At times, under contracts and leases, it kept running until 2022, but now it is completely closed. Last year, its machinery was sold off through tender.

Md Jahir Hossain, manager and in-charge of Darwani Textile Mills, said, "Three of the four warehouses have been rented out. A tender was called for renting the last warehouse, but no one showed interest. The other mill buildings have been neglected for so long that they cannot be used without major repairs."

At present, Jahir is the only officer in charge, with 16 daily-wage workers employed. But when there is no work, they have no income. "If any private organisation wishes, new production could be started here, but all machinery would have to be newly installed. In short, only the land is usable now," he added.