The Bihar government has intensified its efforts to restart the closed Sasamusa Sugar Mill in Gopalganj district to help local farmers. In a high-level meeting held on Thursday, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit directed officials to resolve all administrative and technical hurdles on a priority basis. During this review, Vishal Nirani from the Karnataka-based Nirani Sugars Limited expressed keen interest in taking over the mill operations and starting production.
Government Directives for Immediate Action
Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit chaired a detailed video conference to review the status of the mill’s restoration. He has strictly ordered the Sugarcane Industry Department and the Energy Department to work together and remove obstacles within a set timeframe. The focus is on clearing pending financial matters and ensuring that power supply and machinery audits are completed without any delay.
The administration aims to make the Sasamusa mill operational alongside the Sakri and Raiyam mills within one year. Officials have been asked to prepare a joint time-bound action plan to ensure no further time is wasted. This move falls under the state’s industrial investment policy, which prioritizes reviving defunct units to boost the local economy.
Impact on Farmers and Local Employment
Nirani Sugars Limited is a major player in the sector and has already successfully revived the Riga Sugar Mill in Sitamarhi. Their involvement in Sasamusa is seen as a big relief for thousands of sugarcane farmers in the Gopalganj and Saran division. Currently, these farmers have to pay high transportation costs to sell their produce to distant mills like Sidhwalia or Harkhua.
- Farmer Savings: Reduced travel distance will directly increase profit margins for local growers.
- Job Creation: Restarting the mill will generate employment for youth and help check migration to Gulf countries.
- Fair Prices: The government has fixed the State Advised Price (SAP) up to ₹380 per quintal for the 2025–26 season, ensuring good returns.
The project is also expected to revive ancillary businesses in the area, including transport and machinery repair shops. Ministers have stated that the government is committed to ensuring fair prices and timely payments for farmers once the mill resumes operations.
