Bhiwandi's Powerloom Industry and Housing Crisis Threaten City's Survival
Bhiwandi, once a thriving hub of Maharashtra's textile industry, now faces multiple crises that threaten its economic survival and development. Soaring electricity bills have pushed the city's powerloom industry to the brink of collapse, while thousands of families await housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Opposition leaders have raised concerns about the misallocation of development funds, leaving the city underdeveloped despite its significant contribution to the state's GSDP and employment.
Bhiwandi's powerloom industry, which once led Maharashtra's textile economy, is now struggling under a perfect storm of steep electricity tariffs, mounting debt, and policy neglect. The city's traditional power looms began losing ground in the early 2000s, facing stiff competition from cheaper imports and Surat's modernised textile industry. Today, the situation has worsened, with many units forced to shut down due to unaffordable electricity bills. MLA Rais Shaikh has demanded an immediate rollback and reinstatement of subsidized electricity rates for Bhiwandi's weavers to help revive the industry.
Meanwhile, Bhiwandi's housing crisis deepens. Under the PMAY, 10,656 houses have been sanctioned for the city, but more than 2,300 houses remain unsanctioned. Thousands of families are still waiting for secure shelter, exacerbating the city's development gaps. Opposition leaders have also alleged the misallocation of development funds, with Bhiwandi receiving less than its fair share despite its significant contribution to the state's economy and employment.
Bhiwandi's crises are a stark reminder of the challenges faced by India's industrial towns when left to languish. Urgent interventions, including rationalising electricity tariffs for the powerloom industry and expediting housing projects under PMAY, are needed to prevent a long-term developmental setback. Opposition leaders' calls for fairer allocation of development funds must also be addressed to ensure that Bhiwandi receives its rightful share in the state's progress.
