National

The Sakri Sugar Mill And The Broken Dreams

Once the symbol of Bihar's cottage industries, the Sakri Sugar Mill now stands bare of past glory in a dilapidated state. It closed down in 1997 and over 1,100 employees lost their jobs. The machinery and infrastructure of the mill are now in a dilapidated state, with rust eating all hopes for any rejuvenation of the mill.

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The imposing façade of the main building of the Sakri Sugar Mill still towers over the town of Sakri around it.
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The imposing façade of the main building of the Sakri Sugar Mill still towers over the town of Sakri around it.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

Dilapidated machinery and structures dot the huge campus that once housed one of the most productive sugar mills in the country.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

Rusty wagons once used to carry cane to the mill lie all over the ground, somewhat resembling the skeleton of a long dead creature.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

A haunting tree in what was once the General Manager's bungalow is silhouetted again the evening sky.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

A rotting door held together by a rusty padlock to what was once an office building.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

A rusty old spanner and dusty furniture in a office shed.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

Old cupboards are used to safeguard records of employees who were laid off when the Mill shut down in the hopes that someday they will be compensated.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

An old register with tells us the grand sounding name of the Mill when it was open – Bihar State Sugar Corporation LTD, Unit Sakri

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

Piles of old attendance registers and pay records cover the floor of a derelict office.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

Old steam locomotives that once pulled wagons laden with sugarcane to the mill now lie rusting in the yard.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

An elderly man takes an afternoon nap in the shade of abandoned staff quarters.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

Rows of single-storied brick houses that were once staff quarters are slowly being reclaimed by nature.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

The main gates of the mill that have perhaps remained closed since 1997.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook

A milestone on the road outside reminds locals of the past.

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Photo: Vikram Sharma/Outlook