Patna: Before 1980, Bihar had 28 sugar mills. After 1990, the condition of nine of these mills continued to deteriorate, and by 2005 all nine had shut down. The new state government has now announced plans to operate 34 sugar mills, including 25 new units and the nine previously closed ones, reports Daily Jagran.
With the formation of the NDA government, the Department of Sugarcane Industries has begun efforts to restart sugar mills across the state. Preparations are underway to revive the nine closed mills.
A team headed by the Chief Secretary has been constituted to remove the obstacles delaying the reopening of these mills. Along with the creation of a land bank, the government has also started work on clearing farmers’ pending dues.
During the Assembly election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised to provide employment opportunities for Bihar’s youth and revive the closed sugar mills. The Prime Minister had also mentioned his fondness for Bihar’s sweet tea.
Following the formation of the NDA government, the Sugarcane Industries Department has intensified preparations not only to revive the closed units but also to set up new mills in the state.
In the first Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, approval was granted to restart nine closed sugar mills. These include the Samastipur unit; Sakri and Raiyam units in Darbhanga; Motipur unit in Muzaffarpur; Kawanpur Sugar Works, Madhaura; Kawanpur Sugar Works, Bara Chakia in East Champaran; Kawanpur Sugar Works, Chanpatia in West Champaran; Shree Hanuman Sugar and Industries Limited, Motihari; and SasaMusa Sugar Works Private Limited, Gopalganj. Among these, the mills in Motihari and SasaMusa are privately owned.
Land acquisition completed for Sakri and Raiyam mills
The Sugarcane Industries Department has completed land acquisition for the revival of the Sakri and Raiyam sugar mills in Darbhanga district. However, disputes are ongoing for the remaining seven mills. The Sakri mill shut down in 1996, while the Raiyam mill closed in 1993.
Madhaura mill shut 28 years ago
Three units under the British India Corporation (BIC) had operated in the state—Kawanpur Sugar Works in Madhaura, Kawanpur Sugar Works in Bara Chakia (East Champaran), and Kawanpur Sugar Works in Chanpatia (West Champaran). The Madhaura mill shut down in 1997, while the Bara Chakia and Chanpatia units closed in 1994.
Bihar’s Sugarcane Industries Minister, Sanjay Kumar, said the department is working under the Chief Minister’s direction to revive the closed mills and establish new ones. A committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been formed, and further action will be taken after its report is submitted.
Closure Timeline of Sugar Mills in Bihar
Bihar State Sugar Corporation Mills
Mill Name Location Year of Closure
Samastipur Sugar Mill Samastipur 1996–97
Sakri Sugar Mill Darbhanga 1996–97
Raiyam Sugar Mill Darbhanga 1993–94
Motipur Sugar Mill Muzaffarpur 1996–97
British India Corporation (BIC) Mills
Mill Name Location Year of Closure
Kawanpur Sugar Works Madhaura, Saran 1997–98
Kawanpur Sugar Works Bara Chakia, East Champaran 1994–95
Kawanpur Sugar Works Chanpatia, West Champaran 1994–95
Private Sector Mills
Mill Name Location Year of Closure
Shree Hanuman Sugar Mills Gopalganj (estimated) 2013–14
SasaMusa Sugar Works SasaMusa, Gopalganj 2021–22
