Uttar Pradesh is poised to become a key player in textile exports as major projects are underway to make UP a global textile hub.

The Central government has set an ambitious target of exporting textiles worth Rs 9 lakh crore by 2030. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed confidence that India will achieve this goal ahead of schedule. If this happens, Uttar Pradesh will play a crucial role in this achievement, owing to its rich textile heritage and skilled workforce.

The state has a strong tradition in textile production. Kanpur, once known as the ‘Manchester of the East,’ remains a significant textile hub. Varanasi and Mubarakpur are globally renowned for their silk sarees, while Bhadohi and Mirzapur are famous for their carpets. Gautam Buddha Nagar has emerged as a new hub for ready-made garments and Lucknow’s chikankari embroidery enjoys immense popularity worldwide.

Recognising the potential of these traditional industries, the Yogi government has launched several initiatives to boost textile manufacturing and enhance the skills of artisans. Many districts have been included under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, promoting their unique textile crafts. Flatted factories have been set up in Gorakhpur and other districts to support production.

The government has also set a target to establish Common Facility Centres (CFCs) in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Lucknow, Mirzapur and Bhadohi by 2025 under the ODOP scheme. These centres will provide all necessary facilities for local textile industries under one roof.

Additionally, under the PM MITRA Yojana, a mega textile park is being developed on 1,000 acres along the Lucknow-Hardoi border. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath believes that Uttar Pradesh holds vast potential for employment generation in the textile sector, further strengthening the state’s role in India’s export growth.

In its Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra 2022, the BJP had promised to make Uttar Pradesh a global textile hub within the next five years and create five lakh job or self-employment opportunities.

Over the past five years, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has launched major projects, including a 118-acre Apparel Park in Sector 29. Similarly, the Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority has established 80 flatted factory units and a garment park. Building on this vision, the state government invited proposals last year for new textile and apparel parks.

Efforts are being made to establish at least five apparel and garmenting parks within a 50 km radius of Jewar Airport in Gautam Buddha Nagar and along expressways being developed by Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). Additionally, there are plans to develop the Purvanchal region as a hub for the ready-made garments sector. In Gorakhpur, ready-made garments have been included under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, following terracotta.

A flatted factory complex has also been set up in the Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority (GIDA) area to house textile units. Furthermore, an Integrated Textile and Apparel Industrial Park is being developed in Agra district.

With these ambitious projects, Uttar Pradesh will have greater opportunities to lead in industrial production, employment generation and exports.

The Central government has also announced a Cotton Mission in the general budget to promote this sector. Additionally, Rs 500 crore has been allocated for the National Cotton Technology Mission. The political instability in Bangladesh could also create opportunities for India’s textile industry. Currently, India ranks sixth in the world for textile exports.

The Central government has identified textiles as one of the six key employment-generating sectors for exports. The other identified sectors include agriculture and allied industries, engineering products, pharmaceuticals, electronics, chemicals and leather.

The government is focusing on increasing exports in these areas. The countries identified as potential markets for expansion include the USA, Australia, Brazil, Bangladesh, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, South Korea, the UK and Vietnam. Under the PM MITRA scheme, the Indian government is developing world-class textile parks with a proposed investment target of Rs 10,000 crore.