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Ludhiana: Pahalgam's terror attack that stalled Kashmir's tourist economy has also frozen the supply trucks and payments of this Punjab industrial hub that sends woollen and other hosiery goods worth crores of rupees to the troubled area. Hosiery manufacturers in Ludhiana, some of which specialise exclusively in supplying to Kashmir, face severe setbacks. Certain products, designed specifically for Kashmir's unique weather and culture, cannot be sold elsewhere, which has intensified the crisis.
Vipan Vinayak, president of the Knit and Fab Hosiery Association, highlighted that the impact on trade was significant, with goods worth crores of rupees now stranded due to a sudden drop in orders. He noted that Srinagar's market relies heavily on hosiery from Ludhiana, with some manufacturers focusing solely on the region. "An estimated ₹60-70 crore worth of hosiery is sent to Kashmir each season," he said.
"The recent boost in tourism had been promising, but now, everything is in limbo." In the past few years, tourism in Kashmir had seen positive growth, benefiting local businesses. However, the recent attack on tourists has cast a shadow over these gains.
The fear of escalating violence is stalling the seasonal trade, particularly as Eid approaches — a peak time for business. Dinesh Kumar, a hosiery manufacturer on Ludhiana's Bahadarke Road, emphasised the urgency of the situation: "We have material worth crores or rupees stuck, and with Eid just around the corner, we can't afford further delays. All business is at a standstill.
" Naresh Kumar, a long-time trader who has been visiting Kashmir for 25 years, added: "Tourists were never targeted before. This unprecedented attack has created an atmosphere of fear." The ripple effect is not just on manufacturers.
Transport companies such as Bilal Goods Carrier, which has been supplying goods to Kashmir for years, have seen a drastic reduction in shipments. Naval Kishore, a company representative, said: "We used to send four or five container trucks daily to Kashmir, but now it's down to just one or two." The situation has led to growing uncertainty.
Payments for goods in Kashmir are expected to be delayed for up to six months, creating a serious cash flow issue for manufacturers and traders alike. As tensions continue, it remains to be seen how long it will take for the region's business climate to stabilise..
