The Odisha government has granted in-principle approval to India Potash (IPL) for the revival of two long-defunct sugar mills—Bijayananda Cooperative Sugar Mills in Balangir and Badamba Cooperative Sugar Industries in Cuttack. Both units have remained non-functional for over a decade.

Sources confirmed that the state has asked IPL to submit a detailed project report (DPR) to move forward. As the largest importer and distributor of potash in India, IPL is expected to bring its experience in integrated agri-infrastructure to the project. The company has requested 40–50 acres of land for each unit, aiming to set up a comprehensive facility including sugar production and allied activities.

To sustain operations, IPL has proposed sugarcane cultivation on at least 15,000 hectares. For the Balangir unit alone, a minimum of 6,000 hectares will be needed. The government is formulating a plan to expand sugarcane cultivation from the next financial year to support the revival. The Cooperation Department has also asked IPL to share the roadmap it followed for reviving cooperative sugar units in Gujarat as a reference framework.