By Neeraj Kumar
Patna:The people of Bihar are gearing up for the vibrant festival of Makar Sankranti, with food playing a pivotal role in the celebrations. Milk and curd hold special significance during this festival. To meet the festive demand, Sudha Dairy, Bihar’s largest dairy based in Phulwarisharif, has announced the launch of its “Dahi Express”.
Sudha Dairy has significantly ramped up its stock in preparation for Makar Sankranti. According to Rupesh Raj, Managing Director of Sudha Dairy, efforts are being made to ensure that customers across Bihar do not face any shortage of curd or milk. This year, the Patna Dairy Project has set an ambitious target of selling 35 lakh litres of milk, surpassing the 31 lakh litres consumed during last year’s Makar Sankranti.
To cater to the festive needs, Sudha Dairy, which operates under the Vaishal Pataliputra Milk Producer Cooperative Union, plans to produce 35 lakh litres of milk, 9 tonnes of curd, 18 tonnes of Sudha’s special tilkut, as well as sufficient quantities of paneer peda and other products. The “Dahi Express” has started operating from January 10, and it will continue to operate till January 14. A special Dahi Khao, Inam Pao (Eat Curd, Win Prizes) competition has been scheduled for January18.
MD Rupesh Raj stated that Sudha Dairy is ensuring an uninterrupted supply of milk, curd, tilkut, and other ingredients for the festival, particularly for those who enjoy the traditional dish of Dahi Chura. This year, the curd will be prepared using a special Joran (starter culture) imported from Denmark, ensuring exceptional quality.
To meet the surge in demand, Sudha Dairy employees and workers have been working round the clock on packaging. Special counters have been set up at six key locations in Patna, where curd and milk will be delivered via road milk tankers. These locations include:
- Boring Road Chauraha
- Rajvanshi Nagar
- Near Hanuman Temple
- Jagdev Path Golambar
- Near Pirbahor Police Station
- Near Gai Ghat Bridge and Dinkar Golambar
The “Dahi Express” will operate daily from 6 am to 6 pm, ensuring a steady supply of milk and curd. Additionally, eight flying squads have been formed to oversee distribution and assist customers with their purchases.
Sudha Dairy, managed by the Bihar State Milk Cooperative Federation Limited, is a government-run cooperative established in 1983. It is Bihar’s largest producer of milk and curd. The MD, Rupesh Raj, and the entire team at the Patna Dairy Project have pledged to ensure that no customer faces any shortage during the festive season.
Sudha Dairy has already begun sales and is on track to meet its ambitious targets for Makar Sankranti.
