The story
Balotra, on the Luni river, grew as a centre for printing and dyeing cheap cotton and blended fabrics sold across north India. Units in Balotra, Jasol and Bithuja industrial areas share common effluent treatment plants. Pollution of the Luni has led to repeated National Green Tribunal cases and closure orders.
In numbers
An NGT-formed joint committee recorded 191 operational bleaching units at Bithuja, all members of its 30 MLD common effluent treatment plant (April 2021).
Joint Committee Report in OA No. 202 of 2016, Balotra Textile Hand Processors Association vs RSPCB (National Green Tribunal) · 2021
Ways in for a newcomer
- Printing and dyeing job-work
- Effluent treatment and zero liquid discharge services
- Fabric trading to north Indian markets
Problems the cluster faces
- Luni river and groundwater pollution
- Closure orders from the pollution board
- Water scarcity
Businesses to start here
Textile Printing (Screen Printing on Fabric) →Dupatta Colouring and Dyeing Unit →Textile Screen Printing Unit (Sarees and Fabrics) →