Ludhiana Textile Sector Shows Resilience Amid National LPG Shortage
While a severe LPG shortage has disrupted industrial operations across multiple regions of India, particularly impacting the textile sector, Ludhiana's prominent textile and hosiery industry has managed to avoid a direct crisis. This remarkable stability stems from the sector's strategic reliance on alternative fuels rather than liquefied petroleum gas for its core heating and processing needs.
Diversified Fuel Mix Provides Critical Buffer
Unlike textile hubs in other parts of the country, most manufacturing units in Ludhiana utilize rice husk, wheat husk, and pet coke in their boilers for essential fabric treatment and dyeing processes. This diversified fuel approach has created a protective barrier against the national LPG supply disruption that has forced production cuts and temporary shutdowns in regions like Surat, Gujarat, where many units had shifted to LPG as a primary fuel source.
"The industry was saved from a head-on impact because our units traditionally rely on agricultural waste and other alternative fuels for heating," explained Sudarshan Jain, president of the Knitwear and Apparel Manufacturers Association of Ludhiana. "While Gujarat units were hit hard after shifting to LPG as a cleaner fuel option, Ludhiana still maintains dependence on coal and agri-waste."
Industry Structure and Traditional Practices
The city's textile, hosiery, and dyeing sector represents a substantial economic force, comprising approximately 1,500 individual units and providing employment for an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 workers. This extensive network has been buffered by decades of traditional reliance on non-LPG fuel sources.
Mridula Jain, president of the Shawl Club, emphasized that "the industry remained cushioned primarily through the use of wheat husk" as a heating source. Bobby Jindal, a representative from the dyeing industry, highlighted the geographical advantage, noting that "easy access to paddy husk and agricultural stubble in Punjab has protected our operations" despite one of his LPG-based units remaining shut for a month before transitioning to agri-waste.
Singeing Process Impact Limited
A limited segment of the industry that utilizes LPG for singeing—a specialized process to prevent fabric pilling—has experienced some disruption. However, this application remains comparatively low across the broader sector and is almost entirely absent in most Ludhiana hosiery and dyeing units, allowing the majority of operations to continue unaffected by the national LPG crisis.
Broader Economic Challenges Persist
Despite avoiding the direct impact of the LPG shortage, industry leaders report facing multiple other significant pressures. The ongoing conflict in West Asia has created indirect strain through cost pressures and global economic factors. With input costs rising steadily, exports slowing, and labor availability becoming increasingly uncertain, the industry navigates a challenging economic environment.
"The industry is under substantial pressure due to the rising costs of essential fibers and yarns like polyester, acrylic, and cotton," noted Tarun Jain Bawa, President of the Bahadur Ke Road Textile & Knitters Association.
Amit Jain, chairman of CII Punjab, clarified that "current stress is driven primarily by expensive logistics, persistent labor issues, and weak global demand rather than LPG availability." JP Singh, CMD of a manufacturing firm, revealed that labor availability has emerged as a particular concern, with workers leaving due to the high price of LPG cylinders, prompting management to absorb additional fuel costs to retain workforce stability.
The Ludhiana textile industry's experience demonstrates how traditional practices and diversified fuel strategies can provide crucial resilience during national supply disruptions, even as broader economic challenges continue to test the sector's adaptability and sustainability.
