The Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation Ltd. (COMFED) has floated a tender for the establishment of a 30 MTPD (metric tonnes per day) fully automatic milk powder plant at Sitamari Dairy in Sitamarhi . The project will be implemented under the Tirhut Dugdh Utpadak Sahkari Sangh Ltd. (TIMUL), based in Muzaffarpur, and aims to enhance the milk processing infrastructure in North Bihar.
Estimated to cost ₹71,98,28,011, the project will be executed on a turnkey basis, covering both civil construction and electromechanical components. The completion timeline is 18 months from the commencement date.
Key Technical Features
The plant will operate on a 20-hour continuous cycle with a production capacity of 30 metric tonnes per day. It is designed to produce agglomerated skimmed milk powder (SMP), whole milk powder (WMP), and dairy whitener (DW), all of which will be machine-packed in 25-kg bags to ensure hygiene and consistency.
Advanced Processing Technology
The facility will feature a multiple-effect falling film evaporation plant with a thermo vapour recompressor (TVR) to enhance energy efficiency. A three-stage dryer will support uniform drying of milk solids, and the system design ensures minimum stack losses. The plant’s operation is optimized for low utility consumption, contributing to reduced operating costs.
Compliance with Quality Standards
The powdered dairy products from the Sitamarhi plant will comply with both Indian and international standards, including the European Economic Community’s directive 2248/86 dated 17-07-86, as amended, and ADMI extra grade quality standards. This will allow the products to meet domestic as well as export requirements.
Institutional Framework
The project will be executed by COMFED, the apex dairy cooperative body of Bihar, through TIMUL, which manages dairy operations in Muzaffarpur and neighboring districts. The Sitamarhi facility plays a key role in regional milk procurement, and this new plant is expected to handle seasonal milk surpluses efficiently while adding value through milk powder production.
Tender Scope
The floated tender covers the design, construction, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the complete plant, as per the detailed technical specifications and BOQ. The facility will be housed in an RCC-framed structure with provisions for automated handling and packaging of milk powder.
Strategic Significance
Once operational, the Sitamarhi powder plant will significantly strengthen Bihar’s dairy value chain. By adding modern processing capacity, it will help prevent wastage during peak milk supply periods, provide stable pricing to farmers, and position COMFED to cater to growing market demand for milk-based products.
The project reflects the Bihar government’s focus on cooperative-led development and infrastructure modernization in the dairy sector.
