Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply Lekhraj Bhatta-led team on Tuesday made onsite inspection of Dhauwadi iron ore reserve at Hupsekot-5 in Nawalparasi. On the occasion, Minster Bhatta expressed his confidence that the iron mine would substantially contribute to the economic development of the country. He expressed his commitment to initiate the task of iron production from the reserve within one and a half years. The team comprises ministry secretary Yam Kumari Khatiwada, joint secretary and Dhauwadi Iron Company chair Shivakanta Poudel, Department of Mines and Geology’s director-general Dr Somnath Sapkota, Department of Industry’s director-general Jeevan Sitaula and deputy director-general Ram Prasad Ghimire, among others. —