Hormuz crisis hits IIOJK industry, 350+ units affected
Srinagar: The ongoing crisis in West Asia and disruptions of supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz have begun to severely impact industrial activity in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), with over 350 units reporting sharp declines in production.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a large number of petrochemical-based units, along with industries linked to food processing and plastic manufacturing, have been hit due to their heavy dependence on raw materials and LPG supplies from Gulf countries. With supply chains disrupted for several weeks, production in many of these units has dropped to below 50 percent, a media report said.
The worst-hit industrial clusters include Bari Brahmana Industrial Complex in Samba district, Gangyal Industrial Estate in Jammu, SIDCO Industrial Complex in Samba, and Kathua Industrial Estate. Several units, particularly those dependent on daily LPG tanker supplies, are struggling to maintain operations amid reduced fuel availability.
Varindra Jain, Chairman of the Federation of Industries Jammu, said that nearly 350 to 400 units in the territory have been directly or indirectly affected by the crisis. He noted that a dozen bitumen-related units have nearly halted operations, disrupting road construction works due to shortages of supplies previously sourced from Iran and Iraq.
Plastic manufacturing units have also taken a major hit, with 50 to 60 units operating at less than half capacity. Many depend on imported plastic granules from Gulf countries, and rising input costs—some doubling or tripling—have pushed several units toward potential closure while leaving workers underutilised.
Industries linked to resins, paints, and food processing are facing similar disruptions. Industrialists have warned of mounting financial strain due to falling output, rising costs, and delayed payments.
Lalit Mahajan, President of the Bari Brahmana Industries Association, said declining demand and delayed payment cycles are compounding the crisis, cautioning that prolonged disruption could force multiple units across the region to shut down.
