From Sugary Promise To A Bitter Aftertaste: Failure To Revive Nizam Sugar Mill Haunts KCR’s TRS

The failure to revive the business of Nizam Sugar Factory has become an interesting poll point for all parties in Telangana ahead of the assembly elections.

Established in 1937 in Bodhan by the Nizam, it was one of the biggest sugar factories in Asia, and going by Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS)’s poll promises seemingly one of its biggest failures.

Also called as Nizam Deccan Sugars Limited (NSDL), in the run-up to the 2014 elections, TRS had promised to remove its bad management and re-establish the languishing factory. But four years later, with no salaries and increasing layoffs, the locals are furious when TRS leaders come canvassing for votes.

The sugar mill once had units across united Andhra. It was under government control till 2002, after which it was privatised by the TDP following losses. But its misfortune continued with subsequent governments promising and failing it, as reported by the New Indian Express.

Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi have earlier mentioned the factory in their attacks on the TRS. One of its leaders, P Sudharshan Reddy, speaks about it regularly in his meetings.“Sugarcane crop is very suitable for the weather in Telangana. And due to mechanised farming, it even needs a lesser amount of labour. So, like Maharashtra, we will encourage sugarcane farming in this region, thereby revive Nizam Sugars again,” Reddy said.