Amritsar textile industry looking to get back on the track

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 12

As the second wave of Covid-19 is phasing out, the textile sector here is looking up for a revival. Once known as the Manchester of India, the city still houses a number of textile factories and processing units.

A large number of units here are engaged in manufacturing suiting and shirting, women apparel, shawls, blankets and woolens.

The printing and dress material manufacturers are upbeat about the sale of their stuff. Due to travel restrictions in the wake of second wave, the local retailers could not travel to Ludhiana and other districts to procure material and depended upon the city-based manufacturers for their needs.

Akhil Jain, Executive Director, Madame, which has local presence, said: “The textile industry is considered to be the second largest after agriculture as far as economic growth and employment creation is considered.”

“The textile sector faced the heat of pandemic in terms of transportation and availability of labour. We are aware of the repercussions that the pandemic can have on the skilled workforce. The volumes may decrease but the demand will not stop,” said Jain. He anticipated that people would get back to shopping as things normalise.

“The new normal is ushering in some positive signs of recovery for the industry. Financially strong companies may be able to cover the gap but the smaller ones are anticipated to put up a strong fight for their survival,” Jain observed.

Piara Lal Seth, president of the Shawl Club of India, said agents of local shawl manufacturing units have gone out to book orders and upon their return they would come to know the level of success.

He, however, rued that people from Kashmir, long-trusted salesmen for the Amritsar manufactured shawls, did not visit the city this year due to travel restrictions.

“Last year too, they could not sell the shawls due to Covid-19 restrictions,” said Piara Lal, adding that he was expecting a restriction-free season ahead.

Krishan Sharma, a warp knit fabric manufacturer, said: “With the hope of revival, we have brought artisans and labourers from other states, and factories have resumed work from the last month.” “However, with the power supply to large scale units being disconnected for the last several days, all our plans have gone haywire,” Sharma added.