As the second wave of Covid-19 gets phased out, the textile industry in the region is hoping for a comeback. The city, formerly regarded as the Manchester of India, still has a number of textile mills and processing facilities. A vast number of units here produce suiting and shirting, women’s clothing, shawls, blankets, and woollens.
In terms of economic growth and job generation, the textile sector is regarded as the second largest after agriculture. Due to travel restrictions imposed in the aftermath of the second wave, local shopkeepers were unable to go to Ludhiana and other areas to obtain material and were forced to rely on city-based producers. The sector is seeing some promising indications of revival as the industry adjusts to the new normal.
According to the head of the Shawl Club, representatives from local shawl production units have gone out to book orders, and upon their return, they will learn the degree of success. However, he bemoaned the fact that individuals from Kashmir, who had long been trusted salespeople for Amritsar-made shawls, did not visit the city this year owing to travel restrictions.
