, June 1 -- Once a vibrant industrial hub supporting thousands of families in northern Bangladesh, Shyampur Sugar Mills in Rangpur now stands largely silent, its machinery rusting away while the government continues to spend nearly Tk 24 lakh every month despite production remaining suspended since 2020.

The state-owned mill, one of the oldest heavy industries in the region, was shut down during the 2020-21 crushing season following years of mounting losses and declining sugarcane production.

Although the interim government announced plans to revive closed sugar mills and lifted the suspension order in late 2024, local residents, workers and farmers say little visible progress has been made on restarting operations.

Now uncertainty con...