Lucknow: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to establish an ethanol plant at the long-closed Chhata Sugar Mill in Mathura district.Sugarcane development minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said the project will be developed at a cost of more than Rs 200 crore and will operate for nearly 11 months a year. The proposed plant will have an annual production capacity of 39.6 million litres (3.96 crore litres) of ethanol.Chaudhary said Chhata Sugar Mill was shut down 19 years ago. He criticised the previous Samajwadi Party govt, alleging that no financial support was provided to the mill during its tenure.The new facility will primarily produce ethanol from sugarcane during the crushing season. After the season ends, the plant will continue operations using maize and paddy as feedstock, ensuring year-round production and improved utilisation of resources.The minister highlighted the mill’s strategic location, saying it is situated about 40 minutes from Noida International Airport. The proximity is expected to enhance logistics and create opportunities for developing warehouses and other supporting infrastructure in the area.
