Kolkata, Sep 25 (IANS): The Sahaganj plant of tyremakers Dunlop India, run by the Ruia Group, Thursday opened its gates after nearly three years following a tripartite agreement between the management of the company and its workers' unions and West Bengal's labour department.

State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, Labour Minister Malay Ghatak, as also Ruia Group chairman Pawan K. Ruia and a large number of present and former employees of the company were present at the reopening in Sahaganj of Hooghly district.

The company management had declared suspension of work in October 2011, citing law and order problems.

Ruia said a primary assessment of the plant's present condition has made resumption of operations a challenging task.

"However every effort will be taken to resume production early. It will start with Industrial Product line, followed by Off-the-Road and other tyres," he said.

A committee comprising representatives of the state government, the workers' unions and the management has been formed to work out the productivity norms.

A company statement said the reopening starts the process of settlement of dues of the workers who opted for the early retirement scheme and who expired in the interim period.

It also brings the first instalment of Rs.5,000 to each of the 1,369 workers against their arrears. At present, the company has around 550 people on its rolls. The rest of the dues would be cleared in instalments.

The tripartite agreement was finalised Monday.