In Another First Surat to Make Fabric for Uniforms of Tri-Services

In a matter of pride for Gujarat and a shot in the arm for the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ project, Surat’s textile industry has for the first time received orders to make fabrics for uniforms of Army, Navy and Air Force personnel.

The diamond city has been a leading manufacturer of PPE kits, two to six layered masks, and sportswear for the Indian Premier League. However, it is for the first time that 10 lakh metre of fabric for uniforms, shoes and bullet proof vests for the armed forces will be manufactured in Surat.

The central government ‘s decision also comes as a huge opportunity for Surat’s textile businesses, which had collapsed during the pandemic-induced lockdown, to revive themselves. Before the lockdown, the fabricswere imported from China, Korea and Taiwan.

Sources told Mirror that a few months ago, officials of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) held a meeting with officials of the
South Gujarat chapter of Confederation of Indian Industry where a request was put forth regarding manufacturing fabrics as per the requirement of the armed forces.

At the time, DRDO officials said that 55 lakh metre of fabrics were required annually to manufacture uniforms for the defense personnel, said sources.

Surat also has a thriving rechnical textile industry for the manufacture of specialised items. Taking these factors into account, Surat’s textile industry was tasked with manufacture of fabric for uniforms and non-aesthetic products for the defense forces.

“Surat and especially Surat’s textile industry can be an integral part of the central government’s vision of a self-reliant India. It is a matter of pride for Surat that the fabric for uniforms of defense personnel is manufactured here,” said Dinesh Nawadia, President, Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce.

According to a Surat-based manufacturer, the sample order sent to DRDO in early November has already been approved. By January end, the entire order will be delivered to garment factories in Punjab and Haryana. The fabric manufactured is so strong that it cannot be torn by hand. Attempting to tear it may even cut your fingers, said sources.

Surat expects orders for camouflage printing

While Surat has only recently been given the order for making the fabrics, companies in Punjab and Haryana have been manufacturing boots, parachutes, uniforms, bullet-proof vests, bags, water bags etc. for the armed forces from imported fabrics. “In the near future, we expect orders for camouflage printing on the uniforms besides garment manufacturing,” said Sanjay Saravgi, MD,
Lakshmipati Group

“The industries in Surat are capable of contributing to the Indian army. It was also discussed with the Public Accounts Committee that when it comes to the design aspect of the uniforms, the textile ministry can be involved. Ever since PM Narendra Modi shared his idea of self-reliant India, work has begun to realise the same,” said Darshana Jardosh, MP, Surat.

Surat is also moving ahead gradually in the technical textile sector. The industries here also manufacture strong glass fabrics that are used to produce helmets, gloves and base for plane landings using carbon yarn. At present, only one or two manufacturers in Surat supply glass fabrics. In the meeting with CII, DRDO officials had said they expect Surat to increase the production of these fabrics in the coming days, sources told Mirror.

“The Indian government has shown confidence in Surat’s textile industry and that is a matter of pride for us. DRDO had laid down guidelines for the making of the fabrics. Our skilled labourers are manufacturing the same under special supervision,” said Saravgi.

“The biggest challenge was to make fabrics from high-density yarn. About 5 to 7 major factories in Surat will manufacture more than 10 lakh metre of fabrics in the next two months and send them to garment units in Punjab and Haryana. We hope that in the near future, Surat will be given the responsibility of making camouflage prints on the fabrics for the armed forces,” he added.

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Source:The Ahamedabad Mirror

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