Cotton Textile Industry – Phagwara (Punjab)
Syllabus: Industries (UPSC Prelims)
The cotton textile industry in Phagwara is closely tied to Jagatjit Cotton Textile Mills (JCT Ltd.), one of Punjab’s most prominent industrial enterprises. Its development offers an important case study for UPSC, illustrating industrial location factors, regional economic growth in a non-traditional cotton belt, and the broader challenges faced by legacy textile mills in India.
Key points for UPSC preparation
Pioneer industrial unit
- Founded in 1946 by Lala Karam Chand Thapar, JCT emerged as one of North India’s earliest modern textile mills.
- Its success in a region not known for cotton cultivation highlights the importance of factors such as transport connectivity (strategic location along the Grand Trunk Road), labor availability, and entrepreneurial initiative over raw material proximity.
Integrated facility
- The Phagwara unit functions as a composite mill, managing spinning, weaving, and processing in a single complex.
- At its peak, it produced high-quality cotton and blended fabrics for domestic markets and exports to the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.
Economic impact
- JCT served as a major employer, with a workforce of roughly 4,500, contributing significantly to Phagwara’s urban growth and local economy.
Modernization and diversification
- It was the first textile manufacturer in India to receive ISO 9002 certification (1996) and introduced eco-friendly products such as organic cotton fabrics.
- The company also diversified into nylon filament yarn, reflecting its early move toward technological upgradation and product expansion.
