Khammam: Granite industry in Khammam district is in crisis. About 70 granite industries had been closed and another 130 units are on the verge of closure. The number of functioning granite units has come down to 100 from 300 units in the district.
So far, about 2,400 workers lost their jobs and another 5,600 workers may lose their employment at any time.
The granite industry which provided employment to 2 lakh people directly or indirectly and which used to export quality granite to more than 10 countries earlier is in dire straits now.
The volume of granite business hovered around Rs 1,000 crore every year in its heydays. The industrial area in Khanapuram Haveli, Mudigonda, Arempula, Pallegudem, Gopalapuram and Nelakondapalli is famous for granite industry. These areas used to bustle with activity like loading and unloading of granite stones on one side and finished goods on the other.
Now, they have fallen silent. There are various reasons for it. Firstly, the price of raw granite has increased manifold, when compared to that 15 years back. Raw granite used to be available at Rs 3 a feet in 2003 and the price of finished granite Rs 55 per feet.
Now, the price of finished granite has come down to Rs 35 while the price of raw granite rate has increased to Rs 8 per feet. Secondly, the demand for granite has reduced in the international market.
Purchases from Europe and China have dropped. Factory owners are not able to produce granite under the present situation. Owners of granite factories have appealed to the government to extend subsidies to bail them out of crisis. They also said that power should also be supplied at a subsidised price to the industry.
The granite factories are not able to make profit due to the increasing cost of raw materials and diminishing prices of the finished products. In such a scenario, many factories are getting closed.
- The number of functioning granite units has come down to 100 from 300 units in Khammam district.
- so far, about 2,400 workers lost their jobs and another 5,600 workers may lose their employment at any time
- industrial area in Khanapuram Haveli, Mudigonda, Arempula, Gopalapuram famous for granite industry
