Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today inaugurated the expanded crushing capacity plant at the Batala Cooperative Sugar Mill, developed at a cost of ₹300 crore. The upgraded facility now boasts a crushing capacity of 3,500 tonnes of cane per day (TCD), with the potential to expand to 5,000 TCD, alongside a 14-MW co-generation power project.
The Chief Minister said that the mill aims to crush 35 lakh quintals of sugarcane during the current season while adhering to eco-friendly practices. He highlighted that this is India’s first sugar mill to implement a 100% gas pipeline with a capacity of 14,000 cubic meters per day. This innovation is expected to reduce pollution equivalent to the emissions from 30,000 cars, making it a significant step towards environmental sustainability.
National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd. Is the Project Management Consultant for this project. Speaking during the event, Prakash Naiknavare, Managing Director of NFCSF thanked the Punjab Government and the Punjab State Federation of Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd for their support in efficiently completing the project.
The capacity enhancement at Batala sugar mill marks a leap from the previous capacity of 1,500 TCD. The newly installed 14-MW co-generation project is set to improve the mill’s efficiency and profitability. Of the generated power, 5 MW will cater to the mill’s operations, while the remaining 9 MW will be sold to the government grid, generating an additional revenue stream.
The plant will also produce pharma-grade sugar, which is expected to fetch higher market prices compared to regular sugar. This diversification is anticipated to enhance the mill’s financial stability, ensuring timely payments to sugarcane farmers at fair rates.
The increased crushing capacity will eliminate the need for transporting sugarcane to distant mills, saving time and costs for farmers. This initiative is expected to boost sugarcane cultivation in the region, providing economic benefits to farmers and strengthening the local agricultural economy.
By integrating advanced production and power-generation capabilities, the Batala Cooperative Sugar Mill is set to emerge as a model of efficiency and profitability in Punjab’s sugar industry.
