Question

Why have Mumbai and Ahmedabad emerged as the important cotton manufacturing centres?

Answer 1

1. Proximity to Raw Material: The supply of raw cotton for the mills is supplied by the cotton-producing areas of the Deccan Plateau that lie close to these mills.
2. Climatic Conditions: The humid coastal climate favours textile making without breaking the thread.
3. Transport Facilities: Mumbai and Ahmedabad are well connected through rail and road links with cotton-growing areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat, respectively, and also through sea routes with foreign markets.
4. Port Facilities: Mumbai is a leading port with export and import facilities, whereas Ahmedabad utilises port facilities from Kandla. The location of ports facilitates the import of capital goods, chemicals, etc. and the export of finished goods.
5. Labour: Mumbai and Ahmedabad have enough labour force from within or nearby states.
6. Capital: Both Mumbai and Ahmedabad, being the financial and commercial centres of the country have easy access to capital and financial resources. A large number of banks and other financial institutions exist in these cities, which provide loans and other credit facilities to the manufacturers.
7. Power: Power is of utmost need for the development of any industry. The cotton mills in Mumbai are supplied electricity by the Tata Hydroelectric system located in the Western Ghats, whereas electricity is supplied in Gujarat by the Ukai and Kakrapara hydroelectric projects.
8. Market: There is a huge market for the cotton cloth in these states as well as in the southern and coastal areas of the country because of the hot climate which prevails in these areas. Besides internal demand, a huge market for Indian cotton cloth exists outside the country, especially in the Middle East countries, which are located comparatively near Mumbai and Ahmedabad.