Bihar govt steps up efforts to revive Sasamusa sugar mill in Gopalganj

Patna: The state govt has intensified efforts to revive the long-closed Sasamusa sugar mill in Gopalganj district, assigning the responsibility of restarting and operating the unit to Karnataka-based MRN Group.To advance the process, additional chief secretary, sugar cane industries department, K Senthil Kumar and MRN Group founder and chairman Murugesh R Nirani visited the mill on Friday for an on-site inspection. They reviewed the condition of the premises, assessed available land, examined machinery and discussed operational and legal issues related to the closed facility.Speaking to reporters, Senthil Kumar said the govt, acting on the CM’s directions, is pursuing a dual strategy — reopening closed sugar mills and creating new capacity across Bihar. He said the plan includes restarting defunct units and establishing 25 new sugar mills in different districts.He added that the initiative is being implemented under the “Saat Nischay-3” programme, under which the state has decided to expand the sugar industry footprint beyond revival projects. The visit aimed to assess the mill’s current condition and requirements so that informed next steps could be taken jointly by the govt and the selected operator.Senthil Kumar indicated that the govt would take a positive decision regarding pending dues to sugarcane farmers, a long-standing concern in the region.

Nirani said the govt was extending substantial support for restarting Sasamusa. He said his visit was meant to assess feasibility, including technical and commercial conditions required to make operations sustainable.He said running only a conventional sugar mill may not be sufficient and that the group is considering production of bio-products alongside sugar to improve viability and ensure greater benefits for local farmers through diversified demand for cane and related inputs.Joint sugarcane commissioner Jai Prakash Narayan Singh, other officials and farmers were present.Earlier, on Feb 23, the state’s cooperative department signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd, New Delhi, to revive two closed mills at Sakri in Madhubani and Raiyam in Darbhanga. On Nov 25, the state cabinet approved revival of nine closed mills and establishment of 25 new mills across Bihar.