The Telangana turmoil in Andhra Pradesh has hit synthetic textile makers of Surat in Gujarat. Their consignments to this troubled region have stopped, forcing them to cut output at least 25 per cent.
The Surat-based synthetic textile industry has seven per cent of the entire Indian market and Andhra is a key market. "At least 30 trucks carrying synthetic textile consignments ply to Andhra daily. The trouble in that state has disrupted the supplies and our trucks are not able to deliver goods to the addressees, mainly in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, which are surrounded with the unrest," said Yuvraj Desale, president, Surat Textile Goods Transport Association.
The crisis came at a time when the industry was expecting increased business, with festivals such as Ramzan and Onam starting from August onwards. "It was a time for us to do good business. But looking at the extent of turmoil in the region, we feel demand will be badly hit," said a textile trader.
"We have no clue when this agitation will be over. Therefore, keeping in view the uncertainty and the inventories, most manufacturing units have decided to cut production by 25 per cent, at least for now. If the trouble continues for long, it would be very difficult for us to sell these goods in other markets as they are specifically made to suit the local taste," informed Devkishan Mangani, president, Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association.
Nearly 1500 units are engaged in the manufacturing of synthetic textiles in Surat. The Surat-made Dani and Russian style of sarees are popular in this region, while embroidered dress materials are also high in demand.