The story
Batala's foundries and machine shops date back to before Independence, when the town supplied castings and machines to undivided Punjab. Family firms built lathes, shapers and drilling machines and later farm implements and tractor parts. Being close to the border and far from big rail links has slowed growth. Units still supply small factories and farmers across north India.
In numbers
The district profile names Batala Machine Tools and the Foundry Cluster, Batala as the district's manufacturing clusters.
MSME-DI Ludhiana — Brief Industrial Profile of Gurdaspur District · 2012
Ways in for a newcomer
- Pattern-making and machining job work for foundries
- Dealer network for Batala-made implements in other states
- Repair and service of farm machinery
- Precision castings for tractor and pump makers
Problems the cluster faces
- Competition from neighbouring states with special packages (J&K, Himachal)
- No direct rail link to major cities
- Small units cannot buy steel in bulk
- Banks ask small units for collateral
Businesses to start here
High Duty Iron Castings (Foundry) →Malleable Iron Castings (Pipe Fittings and Auto Parts) →Agricultural Implements, Cutlery and Hand Tools →CNC Engineering Workshop (Precision Job Work) →Cast Iron Brake Drums (Small Foundry) →