Due to farmers’ agitation against the Union Government’s new farm laws in Punjab, exporters are facing challenges regarding timely delivery of their goods. The farmers have been agitating on railway tracks as a result of which train services are blocked since last many days.
If the agitation continues, the impact on the exporters will be severe.
Amit Thapar, President, Ganga Acrowools Ltd. and member of CII Punjab State Council, is of the view that industry has come to its knees due to the blockage of train services. Consequently, import cargo has stuck and export containers are getting delayed. If the situation persists for another week, 20 per cent of the industry will have to close down temporarily – a void that could never be filled.
Various companies’ containers have been lying at hubs like Mumbai and Gurugram since last 15 days – a big cause of worry keeping in view the upcoming festive season.
Associated with many trade associations, Ajit Lakra, MD, Superfine Knitters, Ludhiana also shared that it will be another disaster, whose impact would be more than that caused by COVID-19. He added if the rail service is not resumed immediately to ensure the smooth movement of import-export cargo, then the Punjab Government will be entirely responsible for this.