A team from the ICAR-National Meat Research Institute (NMRI), Hyderabad, will begin a two-day inspection of the closed bacon factory in Kanke, Ranchi, from Thursday. This follows an MoU signed with the state government months ago, aimed at reviving the facility that has been shut for three decades.
Background of the Factory
The factory, once known for its ready-to-eat pork items and sausages under the brand name Ranbac, was in high demand across Bihar, West Bengal, the northeastern states, and even Nepal. However, it closed in the mid-1990s after the multi-crore fodder scam surfaced, in which former Bihar chief ministers Lalu Yadav and Jagannath Mishra were implicated. The premises were later used as a camp jail when Lalu was arrested and brought to Ranchi by CBI officers. Subsequently, lack of maintenance led to its permanent closure. The factory currently occupies four acres of land.
Revival Plan and Inspection
Niraj Verma, an official from the agriculture and animal husbandry department overseeing the revival project, stated that the inspection will help create a proper blueprint. “The team of experts, after their inspection and evaluation of the existing resources, will provide a road map for revival. During a recent review meeting, Chief Minister Hemant Soren directed the department to prioritize this project,” Verma said. He added that the revival would benefit both the state and its people, given the high demand for meat products. “Around 30-35 quintals of meat are consumed daily in Ranchi alone. Reviving the factory will not only provide quality meat and pork products but also boost rural livelihoods and create opportunities for piggery and allied sectors,” he explained.
Previous attempts at revival under earlier governments failed due to a lack of suitable partners with technical expertise. In February this year, Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey announced the revival after inspecting the area, and the proposal received cabinet clearance. “Initially, around Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for its revival,” said another official.
The two-day inspection is expected to pave the way for a comprehensive plan to restart operations at the historic factory.
