The story
Jetpur's printers began with hand block printing for local sarees and later moved to screen printing on a large scale. The town became a major supplier of printed cotton to African markets as well as Indian buyers. Effluent from the units, released into the Bhadar river, has led to long court battles and a push for a common effluent treatment plant.
In numbers
The Jetpur textile cluster had 1,200 dyeing and printing units, Rs 1,500 crore turnover, Rs 1,000 crore exports and 45,000 workers, 80% on daily wages (district profile 2012-13).
Brief Industrial Profile of Rajkot District 2012-13 (MSME-DI Rajkot, Ministry of MSME) · 2013
Ways in for a newcomer
- Screen and digital printing job-work
- Supplying dyes, chemicals and screens
- Exporting printed fabric to Africa
- Effluent treatment and water recycling services
Problems the cluster faces
- Pollution of the Bhadar river and village opposition
- Gas and chemical price rises
- Mostly daily-wage workforce
Businesses to start here
Saree Dyeing and Printing →Textile Screen Printing Unit (Sarees and Fabrics) →Hand Block Printing Unit (Printed Suits) →Dupatta Colouring and Dyeing Unit →