Today, the hosiery hub of Punjab has become the major center of the woolen textile industry of the country. Annual business of about Rs 15,000 crore is done from this hub of Ludhiana. This hub not only caters to about 80% of the demand for woolen textiles in India, but also exports woolen textiles worth Rs 200 crore across the world. About 14,000 units operate here, which provide employment to more than five lakh people.
Ludhiana's woolen textile industry suffered huge losses during the pandemic. Due to the lockdown and global economic crisis, finished goods could neither be transported nor sold. As a result, manufacturers faced financial crisis and could not purchase the raw materials required for winter clothing. Most of the productive units came to a standstill and faced difficulties in paying the workers.
After the pandemic, the situation is gradually becoming normal. According to Vipin Arora, a businessman associated with the industry, there is a possibility of more cold this year, due to which a huge increase in the demand for woolen clothes is expected. The industry has started production in three shifts and large manufacturing units have reached 80-100% production capacity. Micro and small units are also producing up to 50-60% capacity.
Woolen products of Ludhiana are mainly purchased by big traders, who sell them in the market. Businessman Arora said that Ludhiana's products have very little contribution in online sales. Manufacturers make a profit of only ₹10-₹15 per item, but the large number of orders keeps their business stable.
More than 70% of the workers are migrant workers, who go to their home states during festival times. However, now he is back and contributing to the production. With this collective effort, the industry is expected to compensate for the losses caused by the pandemic and increase sales in the coming winter season.
Ludhiana's woolen textile industry not only provides local employment but also maintains its identity in the national and international markets. This hub is expected to have bumper sales in the upcoming season, due to which the region is moving towards complete recovery from the impact of the pandemic and becoming economically strong.
(Report: Rajinder Arora, Ludhiana)
