On September 16, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the creation of textile and apparel parks in Uttar Pradesh, named after Sant Kabir, aimed at skill development and job creation for the youth. During a high-level review meeting, he highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s rich heritage in handloom and textiles, asserting the state’s potential to achieve a significant position in the global textile market, which is expected to reach USD 2.3 trillion by 2030. The proposed scheme, inspired by Sant Kabir’s principles of labor, simplicity, and self-reliance, aims to blend tradition with modernity while opening new avenues for investment, production, and employment.
Official statistics indicate that Uttar Pradesh is one of the leading textile and apparel exporters in India, with exports valued at USD 3.5 billion in 2023–24, accounting for 9.6% of the nation’s total textile exports. The sector contributes 1.5% to the state’s GDP and directly employs nearly 22 lakh individuals, with key traditional clusters located in Varanasi, Mau, Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Sitapur, Barabanki, Gorakhpur, and Meerut. To date, 659 proposals have been submitted through the Investment Sarathi portal, requiring 1,642 acres of land, which represent an investment of Rs 15,431 crore and are projected to create approximately 1,01,768 jobs.
Each park will span at least 50 acres and incorporate a common effluent treatment plant, along with provisions for ancillary industries such as buttons, zippers, packaging, and warehousing. The initiative will be executed through a PPP model or a designated nodal agency, with the government ensuring essential infrastructure like roads, electricity, and water supply. The Chief Minister instructed officials to expedite the identification and development of land for swift implementation. Additionally, he directed officials to engage directly with powerloom weavers to help lower their production costs, enhance their earnings, and fortify the traditional textile sector. He noted that the government is already providing subsidized electricity to weavers and should consider integrating solar energy.
“Weavers embody hard work and tradition; their handcrafted fabrics are renowned globally. Supporting them is our responsibility,” he stated. The Chief Minister expressed optimism that the Sant Kabir Textile and Apparel Park Scheme would attract substantial investments and create jobs, positioning Uttar Pradesh as a prominent global hub in the textile and apparel industry.