The power looms of Bhiwandi is slowly picking up pace as migrant workers who had left for their hometowns, have started returning to the city. Due to demonetization, loom owners's inability to pay hard cash to daily-wage labourers, had resulted in many leaving in droves for their native in UP, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The exodus caused hundreds of power looms to shut shop.

However, recently the scenario of Bhiwandi power looms seemed to have improved, if not changed. With little or no work in their own hometowns, workers have started returning into the city. If this continues, the power loom industry is likely to whirring back in action, owners said.

With labourers returning to find work, power loom owners are hopeful. Bhiwandi businessman Fahad Bubere, said that if they can't accommodate them in the mills, they send them to the dying or packing department.

Rashid Tahir Momin, who owns 500 looms, said that 50 percent of his looms are already functioning. The situation has improved since February.