Farmers Protest for Reopening of Chhata Sugar Mill Mathura

Chhata, September 13, 2026: A significant demonstration took place at the site of the abandoned Chhata sugar mill as local farmers gathered under a large canopy to demand the facility’s immediate resumption of operations. The protest, characterized by persistent chants of “sugar mill chalu karo,” highlighted growing frustration among the farming community regarding the deteriorating state of the local agricultural infrastructure. Visual evidence from the site confirms that the facility remains in a state of neglect, with rusted machinery and decaying structures serving as a backdrop to the ongoing agitation led by regional farmer representatives.

Allegations of Broken Promises

During the demonstration, the National President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Mahatma Tikait) addressed the gathered crowd, outlining a history of stalled negotiations with the state administration. According to the union leader, a critical meeting was held three years ago at the residence of the concerned minister in Lucknow, during which farmers were reportedly assured that 300 crore rupees had been officially allocated for the revival of the Chhata mill. The BKU leader claimed that despite these earlier assurances, the project has failed to materialize, and he alleged that the minister has since pivoted to stating that the mill will not be made operational.

Also Read: Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary: Chhata MLA Biography

The union president characterized the current stalemate as an “unfortunate” situation, explicitly framing the refusal to restart the facility as an “ego issue” on the part of the minister. He underscored that the farming community is not prepared to retreat from their demands, emphasizing that the mill is vital for the economic health of regional cultivators who rely on the local processing of their sugarcane crops.

Opposition to Ethanol Plant Proposal

A central point of contention raised during the protest is the government’s rumored proposal to establish an ethanol plant on the site of the existing sugar mill. The BKU leadership expressed strong opposition to this shift in strategy, arguing that the installation of an ethanol unit poses significant health risks to the surrounding community. To support their position, representatives cited a similar case in Rajasthan, where an ethanol plant was allegedly closed following sustained protests from local agricultural stakeholders. The protesters argue that the priority must remain the functionality of the sugar mill itself rather than diverting resources or land toward alternative industrial uses that do not serve the immediate needs of the sugarcane farmers.

Community Determination and Future Outlook

The sentiment on the ground was further reflected by local participants, including Lakshman, an elderly resident of Chhata who attended the demonstration to voice his support. Lakshman asserted that there is a consistent and abundant supply of sugarcane in the area available for processing, making the continued closure of the mill economically illogical. He reiterated the commitment of the attendees to continue their protest until concrete steps are taken to restore the plant to a functional status. Throughout the event, many attendees documented the proceedings with their mobile phones, signaling a coordinated effort to keep the pressure on the local administration. While the specific timeline for future actions remains fluid, the gathered farmers made it clear that their primary objective remains the restoration of the industrial capacity that once supported the agricultural backbone of the Chhata region.