Production begins at Warangal textile park; KTR expresses delight

BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) expressed his excitement as the first unit at the Kakatiya Mega Textile Park in Warangal began production. Speaking about the milestone, he said it was a proud moment to start manufacturing T-shirts for global markets. KTR recalled that the state government had laid the foundation for the factories at the park in 2023, including the ground-breaking ceremony for 11 “Young One” corporation factories. Highlighting the local impact, he noted that nearly 90% of the workforce comprises women from the surrounding area, calling it a symbol of empowerment. He further said that once all units are operational, Warangal could emerge as a major textile hub in the region.

“Farm to Fashion” Vision KTR emphasized that Telangana has set new benchmarks in the textile industry - from producing high-quality cotton locally to establishing the country’s largest textile park across 1,350 acres. The park embodies the state’s “Farm to Fashion” vision, linking agriculture to textile manufacturing. Thanks to forward-looking industrial policies introduced by former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, including the single-window clearance system TS-iPASS (Telangana State - Industrial Project Approval and Self-Certification System), Telangana has attracted multiple international investments over the years. These investments have created significant job opportunities for local youth, strengthening the state’s industrial base.

Other parks still lagging However, not all textile parks in the state have progressed at the same pace. Several parks are either partially constructed or stalled mid-construction. Examples include the Pochampally Handloom Park in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, White Gold Textile Park in Rangareddy, and Pashmailaram Park in Medak.

Industry experts point to multiple reasons for the delays - prolonged land acquisition processes, pending environmental clearances, private investors pulling back, delays in fund release, and lack of basic infrastructure such as water and electricity. In addition, the slow setup of common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), changes in political leadership, policy shifts, and lack of coordination between central and state funding have also hindered progress.

Despite these challenges, the Kakatiya Mega Textile Park reaching the production stage is seen as a crucial milestone for Telangana’s textile sector. Analysts believe that once fully operational, the park could provide thousands of jobs for youth in Warangal, Hanumakonda, and Mahabubabad districts.

Reasons behind temporary closures Several factors led to temporary shutdowns at some units. Domestic clothing prices have dropped significantly, making it hard for manufacturers to earn profitable returns. Rising costs of raw materials and chemicals further strained operations. Limited export opportunities resulted in large stocks of unsold fabrics, including polyester worth crores, piling up in the parks.

Previously, a focus on government orders reduced private orders. When government orders declined, private orders were insufficient to sustain operations.

High electricity costs and marketing challenges High electricity tariffs in Telangana - around ₹8 per unit compared to ₹2 in states like Maharashtra - added to manufacturers’ burdens. Additionally, inadequate marketing facilities made it difficult to sell produced fabrics. These challenges led to job losses for 1,500-2,000 workers. Manufacturers and workers have requested government support to overcome these obstacles.