China lockdown hits tech students

Hyderabad: The coronavirus epidemic is having a disastrous effect on local electronics industry. From wholesalers and retailers to hobbyists, no one has been spared. But the real trouble is being faced by the engineering student community.

In a few weeks, when fourth-year engineering students start working on their final-year projects, they will have trouble sourcing various components they need to make them work.

Multiple electronics importers and retailers said that the supply of components has all but dried up. Consignments have gotten smaller and more expensive.

Some said components are retailing at anywhere between 10 and 30 per cent higher rates than usual. Some niche components are altogether unavailable.

Most colleges expect project submissions, along with detailed reports, starting April. Importantly, since the topics are decided much ahead, there is little scope for change.

Prices of electronic gizmos rising
Kaiser of Roland Electronics in Koti said, “Final-year students are generally supposed to begin work months ago. But most of them wake up only in late January or February. They will find that prices of many components have increased. And the situation will only get worse in coming days.”

Multiple engineering students that Deccan Chronicle spoke to admitted that they were yet to get started on their project work.

Mounika, an electronics and communications student from a college located in Ibrahimpatnam, said, “my group (of three) had decided the project topic in December but we haven’t begun work yet. But a few of my classmates told me some parts are not available in the market.”

Another student, Phanindra, from a college in Kompally, said that his team had bought some parts, but at a considerable premium.

Kaizer explained the supply-side constraint saying that his company works with suppliers in Chinese cities of Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Ningbo. “They are trying hard to secure more supply for us, but the authorities there are very strict. Even when they send a consignment, it has to be routed from other Asian countries, which is causing further delay,” he said.

Essential equipment such as Raspberry Pi boards, a credit card-sized computer used by many student developers, is seeing a steep price rise. Retailers said that two authorised sellers of the boards have increased costs by at least 15 per cent. These boards are used by students of almost all branches.

Pawan from MS Components had a similar story to narrate. He said he was finding it hard to source supplies. “If we order for 1,000 pieces of a component, we are only getting 500. We are paying 10 to 15 per cent more for them. Hence, we are increasing the retail prices proportionately,” he said.

However, there are some retailers who find themselves in a better position.

Aditya Agarwal from Agarwal Electronics said that his shop was luckily stocked up in December. “Currently, we are still selling at normal prices. But if the situation doesn’t improve in two weeks, which seems unlikely, we will face problems,” he said.