Patna: The state government has stepped up efforts to reopen the long-shut Sasamusa sugar mill in Gopalganj district and has handed over the responsibility of restarting and running the unit to the Karnataka-based MRN Group, The Times of India reported.
As part of the process, Additional Chief Secretary of the Sugarcane Industries Department K. Senthil Kumar and MRN Group founder and chairman Murugesh R. Nirani visited the mill on Friday to inspect the site. During the visit, they examined the condition of the premises, reviewed the available land, checked the machinery, and discussed legal and operational matters linked to the closed facility.
Following the Chief Minister’s directions, is working on a two-pronged plan — reopening closed sugar mills and increasing sugar production capacity in the state. He said the initiative includes reviving inactive mills as well as setting up 25 new sugar mills in different districts, Senthil Kumar told reporters.
He added that the plan is being implemented under the “Saat Nischay-3” programme, through which the state aims to expand the sugar sector beyond only revival projects. According to him, the purpose of the visit was to assess the current condition of the mill so that the government and the selected operator can jointly decide the next steps based on facts. He also indicated that the government would take a favourable decision regarding pending payments to sugarcane farmers, which has been a long-standing issue in the area.
Nirani said the government is providing significant support for restarting the Sasamusa mill. He said the visit was intended to evaluate whether operations can be made viable, both technically and financially. He noted that running only a traditional sugar mill may not be enough, and the group is considering producing bio-based products along with sugar to improve sustainability. He added that diversification could help strengthen the unit and bring additional benefits to local farmers by increasing demand for sugarcane and related produce.
Joint Sugarcane Commissioner Jai Prakash Narayan Singh, other officials, and farmers were also present during the inspection.
Earlier, on February 23, the state’s cooperative department signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd, New Delhi, to revive two closed mills in Sakri in Madhubani district and Raiyam in Darbhanga district. On November 25, the state cabinet had approved the revival of nine closed mills and the establishment of 25 new mills across the state.
