Bharuch industries resume operations

TNN | Apr 24, 2020, 04:12 IST

Bharuch/Surat: Industrial operations have resumed in some units in Bharuch district after over three weeks since nationwide lockdown was enforced by the authorities in March to contain the spread of coronavirus. With large number of migrant workers back in their native states, the industries are facing acute manpower shortage. A committee headed by district collector had granted permission to over 1,100 units, including 750 in Ankleshwar & Panoli, 70 in Jhagadia, 150 in Dahej and Vilayat, 23 in Palej, three in Jambusar and three in Valia to resume operations until Tuesday. The permission was given on the condition that these industries will adhere to guidelines of ministry of home affairs to maintain sanitization, provide masks to employees and create required facilities for them. The managements of the units have also been asked to ensure that the employees maintain social distancing norms.
Ankleshwar Industries Association president Mahesh Patel told TOI, “Despite permission, several units could not restart their production in the absence of workers and no raw material. It will take a few more days for resumption of full-fledged operations in the industrial units.
“All major units in Dahej are facing a manpower crisis. Most of the units will be operational at 30 per cent of their production capacity, said Sunil Bhatt, vice-president, Dahej Industries Association.