📰 ‘Can’t Afford LPG Refill’: Worker Exodus Triggers Crisis in Surat Textile Hub

Surat: A growing wave of migrant worker departures from Surat has set off alarm bells in the city’s crucial textile industry, with many labourers citing rising living costs and shrinking incomes as key reasons for leaving.

For several days, Udhna Junction has been witnessing भारी भीड़ of migrant workers carrying their belongings, waiting for trains to return to their native states. The दृश्य reflects deep distress among workers who say they can no longer sustain themselves in the city.

💬 “Can’t Even Afford LPG Cylinder”

Many workers reported that basic household expenses have become unaffordable. The rising cost of essentials—especially cooking fuel—has pushed families to the brink.

“हम LPG सिलेंडर तक नहीं भरवा पा रहे,” said one worker, highlighting how even essential needs like cooking gas have become difficult to manage amid irregular wages and reduced work opportunities.

🧵 Textile Industry Under Pressure

Surat, one of India’s largest textile hubs, depends heavily on migrant labour for operations such as weaving, dyeing, and processing. Industry representatives warn that the sudden outflow of workers could disrupt production cycles and impact supply chains.

Small and medium textile units are already reporting:

• Labour shortages

• Reduced output

• Delays in fulfilling orders

⚠️ Economic Strain Behind Exodus

The situation is being attributed to a combination of factors, including:

• Rising inflation and cost of living

• Declining or inconsistent wages

• Limited job security

Workers say that with expenses rising faster than earnings, returning home has become the only viable option.

🚆 Rush at Railway Stations

At Udhna Junction, long queues and crowded platforms have become a daily sight, with families waiting for available seats on outbound trains. Many are heading back to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha.

🏛️ Calls for Intervention

Industry bodies and local stakeholders are urging authorities to step in with measures such as:

• Financial support or subsidies for workers

• Ensuring steady employment

• Controlling essential commodity prices

🔍 A Larger Concern

The ongoing migration highlights the fragile balance between urban industries and migrant labour. If the trend continues, it could have long-term implications not only for Surat’s textile sector but also for India’s broader manufacturing ecosystem.

The situation remains dynamic, with both industry and administration closely monitoring developments as they look for ways to stabilise the workforce and prevent further disruption.