Gas Shortage Hits Surat Textile Units, Migrant Workers Head Home

A severe gas shortage triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict has sparked a mass exodus of migrant workers from Surat, crippling the city's vital textile industry as thousands head back to their home villages. Reports indicate that disruptions in LPG and LNG supplies—linked to the Iran-US tensions—have halted both household cooking and factory steam operations, leaving workers without income or basic necessities for days.

Over 10,000 powerloom units in Surat, where around 30% rely on commercial gas for production, have slashed output drastically, with some facing complete shutdowns. Migrant laborers from states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, who form the backbone of the weaving clusters, report going without gas for five to six days, pushing cylinder prices to Rs 500-700 each. One worker, Sachin, told media outlets that factories are closing too, forcing families to leave despite jobs waiting.

The crisis has hit hardest at Udhna Railway Station, where crowds of workers gathered on March 19-20, 2026, boarding trains home with minimal belongings. Women like Seema Devi cited failed attempts to secure fuel for two weeks, compounded by landlords banning firewood use in rentals. This labor drain threatens festive-season production, as Surat's textile hubs like Bhestan and Ved Road grapple with shortages ahead of peak demand.

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Textile associations have intervened decisively, launching mega community kitchens serving up to 5,000 meals daily at subsidized rates, while some units offer salary advances or extra pay—up to Rs 500 per worker—for cooking gas. The Surat Textile Goods Processors Association (SGTPA) emphasized humanity over business, aiming to retain skilled labor amid black-market profiteering. Local authorities are monitoring distributors to prioritize households.

This spillover from global geopolitics underscores India's vulnerability to energy imports, with West Asia supplying much of its LPG needs. Economic fallout could ripple through apparel exports, as units pivot to costlier alternatives like electricity or diesel. Workers express hopes of returning once supplies normalize, but prolonged shortages risk long-term disruptions to Surat's Rs 50,000 crore industry.As the exodus continues, industry leaders urge government intervention for emergency stockpiles, highlighting the human cost of international conflicts on India's migrant workforce. The situation remains fluid, with calls for rationing and alternative fuels to stem further departures before irreversible damage sets in.​

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