Slow revival for Surat textile shops; 85% in cluster zones

22 May '20

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

Surat’s textile markets are yet to get relief despite lockdown relaxations across Gujarat as 85 per cent of the markets falls in cluster zones. Only 15 per cent of the markets that are not in containment zones has got the administration’s nod to resume operations. Around half of the power loom factories in Surat and its outskirts resumed operations by May 19.

Overall, the textile industry in Surat heaved a sigh of relief with the state chief minister Vijay Rupani announcing resumption of activities in that sector, including textile markets, at 50 per cent capacity while adhering to social distancing norms.

Surat city has 165 textile trading markets housing 65,000 shops. The Federation of Surat Textile Trading Association (FOSTTA) had submitted a memorandum a few days ago to district collector Dhaval Patel requesting permission to open shops.

On May 19, the collector held a meeting with Surat municipal commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani and FOSTTA members in which it was decided to keep the markets in the containment zones closed. The officials suggested modalities to open 20 per cent of markets in the containment zones to open with restrictions.

Over a lakh of migrant workers who were working with the textile industry have left Surat to their home states. On May 19, around 20 power loom factories at Anjani Industries on Sayan Olpad road, started operations with limited workers. Around 30 power loom factories started in Sachin GIDC area and 10 in the Diamond Nagar industrial estate at Laskana. All these are in non-containment zones, according to media reports from the state.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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