Tirupur's Industrial Heartbeat Slows as LPG Crisis Deepens
The bustling knitwear hub of Tirupur is grappling with an unprecedented crisis as a severe shortage of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) threatens to bring its industrial machinery to a grinding halt. Industry representatives have issued a stark warning: micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) may be forced to shut down within a week if gas supplies are not urgently restored. The Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA) has described the situation as reminiscent of the disruptive Covid-19 period, with supply chain failures already impacting production across numerous units.
Critical Dependence on LPG Exposed
According to TEA joint secretary Kumar Duraiswamy, Tirupur—home to more than 20,000 knitwear units, predominantly MSMEs—relies heavily on LPG for its daily operations. "The textile sector alone requires around 204 tonnes of LPG per day for dyeing, printing, and processing activities," Duraiswamy explained. "Additionally, hotels, lodges, and bakeries consume about 150 tonnes daily, bringing the cluster's total LPG requirement to nearly 350 tonnes." With existing stocks projected to last only a week, any prolonged disruption in supply resumption could severely derail production schedules and jeopardize critical export commitments.
Urgent Appeals to Government and Alternative Measures
A TEA delegation met with Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam on Saturday to highlight the escalating crisis. They urged the state government to reconsider the order halting commercial LPG supply, emphasizing Tirupur's critical dependence on the fuel. In response to the shortage, officials have proposed establishing temporary community kitchens in large halls to ensure uninterrupted food supply for the workforce. "Each facility would serve workers from around 50 industrial hostels, catering to nearly four lakh employees," Duraiswamy noted.
The crisis has also exposed vulnerabilities in Tirupur's infrastructure. While officials suggested shifting to compressed natural gas (CNG), which has better availability, industry representatives cautioned that such a transition would require significant time and investment. "The pipeline network exists outside Tirupur, and with industry willingness, the government has assured support for priority CNG connections," Duraiswamy stated. The association has also flagged a daily requirement of 125 tonnes of coal as an alternative fuel, with Coal India reportedly holding adequate stocks. The state government has promised a distribution plan for coal supply soon.
Broader Implications and Timeline for Recovery
The LPG shortage is compounded by existing challenges, as Tirupur's workforce—largely dependent on small eateries, tea shops, and bakeries—already struggles with high LPG prices. Duraiswamy warned that even if the geopolitical situation stabilizes, LPG supply normalization could take three to four months. "If the shortage continues, MSMEs will be hit hard, and closures may begin within a week," he emphasized, underscoring the urgent need for intervention to prevent widespread industrial collapse in one of India's key textile export zones.
