Union Minister of Textiles, Piyush Goyal has announced the setting up of a mega handloom cluster at Olympic silver medallist Saikohm Mirabai Chanu’s native village in Manipur’s Imphal East district.
The Union Minister, who was in Imphal on his two-day maiden visit to Manipur, also announced setting up of a handloom and handicraft village at Moirang in Bishnupur district, where the INA hoisted the tricolour flag for the first time in Indian soil.
Notably, it will pay befitting tribute to the freedom fighters, particularly to the soldiers of the INA, he said.
The Minister inaugurated a Thematic Exhibition of Crafts organised jointly by Development Commissioner (Handicraft) of Manipur Government and Union Ministry of textiles at City Convention Centre, Imphal.
The Minister said that his Ministry has decided to set up the mega handloom cluster at Nongpok Kakching, the native village of Olympic silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, dedicating it to her contribution for the nation coupled with Manipur’s contribution in the production of handloom and handicraft productions in the country.
Ministry of Textile is setting up the mega cluster at an estimated cost of Rs. 30 crore under the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP).
The Minister said that Manipur’s textile product is well known not only in the country but also across the globe. ‘’Keeping this in mind, his Ministry was working hard for the development of the sector so that it contributes to making India a superpower country,” he said.
During this visit, the Minister also held a consultative committee meeting on Textiles in Imphal. With development of silk industry on the agenda, the committee discussed fruitful ways to strengthen domestic textiles industry by providing strong support to stakeholders for making India a textiles hub.
UP Singh, Secretary, MoT also accompanied him during this visit.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
