Punjab industry stares at huge losses as logistics take a hit amid stir

Tribune News Service

Vijay C Roy

Chandigarh, February 14

The industry in Punjab is staring at huge losses as the inward and outward movement of cargo consignments has been paralysed completely amid farmers’ stir. According to industry associations, the transporters have stopped accepting fresh consignments in order to avoid any untoward incident.

On an average, around 8,000-10,000 trucks are engaged by the industry daily to either receive raw material or send finished goods to other states or ports. Industry associations said the fresh stir reminds them of the past agitation of 2020-21, when were unable to meet the domestic as well as export obligations.

According to associations, as the national highway is blocked amid farmers’ agitation, it is going to hit the state industry hard by disrupting supply of raw materials and finished goods, inflicting heavy financial losses.

Insiders also mentioned that there was no arrival of raw material and no dispatch of finished goods in all sectors like bicycle, auto parts, hand tools, textile and apparels.

“This is a very sorry state of affairs. We are unable to receive the raw material such as iron from other states or ports. In such a scenario, production is likely to take a hit in the coming days. Similarly, as transporters have stopped accepting orders, it has become difficult for us to supply finished goods to other states or ports meant for exports. The government must do something,” said Badish Jindal, president, Federation of Punjab Small Industries Associations. “We also have written a letter to the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Morcha, stating that although their agitation is against the Centre, but they end up harming Punjab industry as highways are blocked,” he added.

‘Unable to receive material’

We are unable to receive raw material such as iron from other states or ports. In such a scenario, production is likely to take a hit in the coming days. Similarly, as transporters have stopped accepting orders, it has become difficult for us to supply finished goods. — Badish Jindal, president, federation of punjab small industries association

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