Bhiwandi powerlooms unable to untie Gordian knot of demonetisation and GST

Around 300,000 workers were said to have been impacted due to the closure of units. It is estimated that more than 50% of the units in Bhiwandi were shut down following demonetisation

It could pass off as another suburb of Mumbai but for its roads. Roads in Bhiwandi are so bad that last February a woman went into labour prematurely while travelling in a van.

“I am experiencing back pain for the past four months and had to do an MRI. Some have fractured their hands and legs,” says powerloom owner Hanif Nathani. But bad roads is the not sole reason for his anxiety. 

The government’s surprise decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in November last year broke the back of Nathani and other powerloom owners of Bhiwandi. 

The textile town, adjoining