North Bihar’s Sweet Revival: PM Modi to Lay Foundation for Sakri and Raiyam Sugar Mills

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the revival of Sakri and Raiyam sugar mills in Bihar on November 20, 2026.

PATNA — Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the revival and establishment of two major sugar mills in Bihar on November 20, 2026. The announcement was made by Bihar's Sugarcane Industry Minister, Sanjay Kumar, during an official press conference at the Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD) auditorium in Patna. The upcoming infrastructure projects, located at Sakri in the Madhubani district and Raiyam in the Darbhanga district, form a central pillar of the state's broader initiative to revitalize regional agro-industries, boost rural employment, and enhance sugarcane farmers' incomes.

Strategic Industrial Expansion and Cooperative Operation

According to official announcements from the Bihar government, both the Sakri and Raiyam sugar mills will be operated directly under the supervision of the Cooperative Department. State officials noted that these projects represent initial milestones in an ambitious state target to establish 25 new sugar mills across Bihar over the next five years.

The state administration has also introduced the Bihar Sugar Industry Investment Promotion Policy-2026, which facilitates the creation of integrated sugar complexes. These modern complexes will incorporate sugar processing alongside ancillary units such as distilleries, co-generation power plants, and compressed biogas (CBG) facilities to maximize resource efficiency and attract private capital.

Broader Agrarian Support and Financial Clearances

Contextualizing the industrial push, state officials highlighted significant improvements in farmer payments and institutional backing. During the 2025–26 crushing season, operating sugar mills cleared 100 percent of sugarcane farmers' dues, totaling Rs 2,137.83 billion. Furthermore, the state cabinet recently approved the clearance of Rs 43 crore in past basic dues for farmers in the Sasamusa region, paving the way for the revival of the Gopalगंज-based mill.

To ensure sustained agricultural productivity, the state government has partnered with premier research bodies, including the Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI) in Coimbatore, the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) in Pune, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna, to introduce high-yield seed varieties tailored to local agro-climatic conditions.

Official Sources and Statements

Information regarding the project timeline and policy objectives was confirmed through ministerial briefings and departmental disclosures.

"The State government is committed to fulfilling its resolve to open sugar mills in the state that would not only create employment opportunities in the State but would also increase sugarcane farmers' income," stated Bihar Sugarcane Industry Minister Sanjay Kumar.

Organizers and state officials stated that production at the newly founded facilities is projected to commence within one to two years following the groundbreaking ceremony.

Why It Matters

The revival of the Sakri and Raiyam sugar mills carries profound practical implications for local citizens, farmers, and investors in northern Bihar. By guaranteeing local procurement and establishing integrated bio-energy units, the initiative reduces transportation bottlenecks for growers, raises regional income levels, and generates formal employment in historically agrarian districts.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Event: Foundation stone laying for Sakri and Raiyam sugar mills by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• Scheduled Date: November 20, 2026.

• Locations: Sakri (Madhubani district) and Raiyam (Darbhanga district), Bihar.

• Administrative Oversight: Operated by the Cooperative Department.

• State Target: Establishment of 25 new sugar mills across Bihar over the next five years.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When will Prime Minister Modi lay the foundation stone for the sugar mills? The foundation stone laying ceremony is scheduled for November 20, 2026.

• Which districts will benefit from these specific projects? The mills are being established in the Madhubani (Sakri) and Darbhanga (Raiyam) districts of Bihar.

• Who will operate the Sakri and Raiyam sugar mills? Both facilities will be managed under the state's Cooperative Department.

• What is the broader goal of the Bihar government's sugar policy? The state aims to set up 25 new sugar mills over five years, integrating sugar production with distilleries and biogas plants to boost farmer income and regional employment.

Source:

• Government of Bihar Sugarcane Industry Department Official Dispatches via The Hindu BusinessLine

• Ministerial Press Briefings by Sugarcane Industry Minister Sanjay Kumar via The New Indian Express

• State Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD) Bihar via UNI India