- विज्ञापन -
Ludhiana:
Industrialists and businessmen in Punjab have hailed the state government for taking decisive action against farmers to clear the National Highways at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, which were blocked for past long time.
The move has been widely welcomed by the business community, which had been suffering significant losses due to the road closures.
The World MSME Forum, representing small and medium enterprises, issued a statement praising the Punjab government’s firm stance.
Badish Jindal, President, World MSME Forum said, “For the first time, a government has taken such a strong decision to ensure the smooth movement of goods and trade. The Shambhu and Khanauri borders are the lifelines of Punjab, and reopening them was crucial for the state’s economy.”
He expressed that the roadblocks had severely impacted Punjab’s industries, which depend on these routes for both raw material supply and distribution of finished goods. The statement highlighted that 80% of Punjab’s raw materials arrive through these two highways, while nearly 90% of its manufactured goods, including auto parts, machine tools, and textiles, are shipped out through the same routes.
The industrial body also claimed that the protests had tarnished Punjab’s reputation internationally, with importers shifting their preference to Haryana. Additionally, freight costs had surged by 15-20%, further straining businesses. The forum estimated that the state’s industries had been losing over Rs 800 crore every month due to the disruptions.
Urging the government to implement stricter measures, the World MSME Forum called for a curfew-like enforcement to prevent future roadblocks. “No one should be allowed to shut down Punjab’s borders. Anyone calling for such disruptions should face legal action,” the statement asserted.
