The Surat textile industry, which faced challenges during the pandemic, is now thriving once again, thanks to the resurgence of cultural celebrations and the high demand for decorative fabrics. As the nation eagerly awaits the Ganeshotsav festivities, Surat’s textile industry anticipates a prosperous season, with expectations of business worth Rs. 500 crores.
The Surat Mandap Cloth Association, headed by President Dev Sancheti, has reported a surge in the mandap (tent) business, driven primarily by the post-pandemic resurgence of festivities.
Among the diverse range of fabrics used for mandaps, ‘lycra’ fabric stands out as the most expensive. Embroidered lycra fabric commands a price of Rs. 60-Rs. 70 per metre, while non-embroidered variants are priced between Rs. 25-Rs. 30 per metre.
Surat’s ‘chandarvo fabric’ has garnered significant attention and demand, especially in Maharashtra, where Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated. Lakhs of metres of fabric have been traded from Surat to cater to Maharashtra’s enthusiastic celebrations. Maharashtra remains the largest consumer of Surat’s fabric, closely followed by Gujarat’s Vapi and Valsad regions.
The renowned ‘Taiwan Roto fabric’ from Surat has also gained popularity in Maharashtra, further solidifying the city’s reputation as a textile hub for festive decorations.
This year, the mandap business alone is expected to contribute Rs. 200 crore more to the textile industry than in previous years. According to Sancheti, approximately 250-300 traders are actively engaged in the tent business, and this year has witnessed unprecedented demand for various fabric sizes, with prices ranging from Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 1,500.
