The Odisha government has granted in-principle approval for the revival of two long-defunct cooperative sugar mills: the Bijayananda Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd in Balangir and the Badamba Cooperative Sugar Industries Ltd in Cuttack. 

Both units have been dormant for over a decade, leaving a vacuum in regional economies and impacting the livelihoods of countless sugarcane farmers.

This ambitious revival project is set to be spearheaded by India Potash Limited (IPL), a major player in the Indian fertilizer sector. 

IPL, known for its expertise in integrated agri-infrastructure, has expressed keen interest in taking on the challenge and has been tasked with submitting a detailed project report (DPR) to formalize its involvement. 

The state government has also urged IPL to share its successful roadmap for reviving cooperative sugar units in Gujarat, aiming to replicate that success in Odisha.

The revival plan encompasses several critical components. To establish comprehensive facilities for sugar production and allied activities, IPL has requested approximately 40-50 acres of land for each unit. While the final land allocation is pending, the government's in-principle clearance marks a crucial step forward.

A sustainable supply of sugarcane is paramount for the mills' long-term operation.

IPL has highlighted the need for sugarcane cultivation on at least 15,000 hectares to ensure full-scale operations, with a minimum of 6,000 hectares specifically for the Balangir unit.