Krishnagar: According to the news report published in The Statesman, in a noteworthy development for the agricultural community in Nadia and Murshidabad, the historic Plassey sugar mill, closed for the past five years, is poised for a revival.
The reopening of this once pivotal economic entity not only promises a resurgence for farmers but also heralds the prospect of renewed local employment opportunities.
The Plassey Sugar Mill, erstwhile one of the largest in the state, served as a crucial source of income for around 3,500 sugarcane farmers, cultivating across roughly 1,200 hectares of land. The mill’s closure in 2017 had left these farmers in dire straits, compelling them to diversify into alternative crops such as paddy, jute, mustard, Missouri, and vegetables.
Established in 1937-38 by the Anderson Wright Company, the mill later underwent acquisition by an industrial group, transforming into the renowned Plassey sugar mill. Boasting 18 firms and an expansive 18,000 bighas of land, the mill emerged as a central hub for economic activities in the region. During its non-operational period, reports of theft of machine parts underscored the challenges faced by the mill.
Local Kaliganj Trinamul Congress legislator Nashiruddin Ahmed shed light on the financial struggles of the previous owners, citing these challenges as the primary cause for the mill’s closure. Ahmed acknowledged having communicated the situation to the chief minister, emphasizing that, being a private organization, the state government had limited scope for intervention in the matter. The revival of the sugar mill holds the promise of not only rejuvenating the fortunes of local farmers but also contributing significantly to the economic landscape of Nadia and Murshidabad.
