NewsFlash Daily™
20 April
Middle East conflict fuels gas shortage, cripples Surat’s textile sector, forces nearly 3 lakh workers to migrate as emotional video from Udhna station goes viral
Surat: A deepening LPG crisis linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict has pushed Surat’s crucial textile industry into turmoil, triggering a mass exodus of nearly 300,000 workers and exposing the fragile backbone of India’s labour-driven economy. The crisis has now taken a human face, after a heart-wrenching video from Udhna Railway Station surfaced online, capturing the despair of a young migrant worker leaving the city.
Emotional Video Captures Ground Reality
In the viral clip, a visibly distressed young man, carrying a bag and rushing towards the railway station, is heard saying, “I won’t come back, friend… tell me, I won’t come back.” His tear-filled eyes and trembling voice underline the emotional toll of sudden job loss, reflecting the plight of thousands forced to abandon livelihoods overnight.
“I won’t come back… just tell me I won’t come back,” the worker repeats, symbolising the silent suffering of migrant labourers.
Textile Industry Takes a Direct Hit
The crisis has severely impacted Surat, one of India’s largest textile hubs. Industry insiders report a sharp decline in production, dropping from 65 million metres per day to nearly 45 million metres, due to acute LPG shortages.
Daily demand of around 15,000 gas cylinders is no longer being met, choking manufacturing units and forcing closures.
Mass Migration of Workers Intensifies
With factories slowing down or shutting operations, nearly 30 percent of the workforce, estimated at 3 lakh workers, have already left the city. Many are returning to their hometowns amid uncertainty, adding pressure on transport hubs and rural economies.
Crowds Surge at Railway Stations
The ongoing migration has led to unprecedented crowds at railway stations, particularly at Udhna. Officials attribute the surge to a combination of holiday travel and job losses caused by the LPG shortage, stretching railway infrastructure beyond capacity.
Economic Concerns Deepen
Experts warn that the crisis is not limited to labour distress but could also have long-term economic consequences, especially for Surat’s export-driven textile sector. With no immediate resolution in sight, both industrial output and employment stability remain at risk.
