Surat loses sheen as diamonds workers flee

The Rs 4,000-crore diamond industry of Surat is facing a severe economic setback, with the unprecedented floods over the week forcing closure of nearly 10,000 units and driving away its skilled diamond cutting and processing workers.

The flight of workers from the inundated city has put a question mark on the restarting of closed units, and worried diamond barons have asked authorities to do everything possible to stop the exodus.

President of South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry Pravin Nanavati said he hoped normal work would resume at the units in the next 15 days, but assessed that if the exodus of workers continued, the industry would take some time to attain 100 per cent capacity.

"We have requested authorities to take all measures to stop the flight of people, including diamond workers, who are leaving the city in large number, since the flood waters are now receding," said Nanavati.

The industry has suffered losses of Rs 150 crore per day since August 7 and if the diamond cutters are not available once the units reopen, it would spell doom for the industry, he added.