Textile traders of Surat, the country's largest man-made fabric (MMF) centre just when the demand for polyester saris and dress materials was seeing an increase with the start of the festival season has been hit hard with the ongoing indefinite strike by transporters.

The Federation of Surat Textile Traders' Association (FOSTTA), an apex body of over 65,000 traders in the market, said that the festive season sale of textile fabrics touches Rs 140 crore per day from the normal day sale of Rs 110 crore. Traders from over 150 textile markets on Ring Road and Salabatpuara have not been able to dispatch goods to various destinations in the country.

As over 800 transport trucks that deliver the textile goods have joined the nationwide strike to demand scrapping of the toll tax system. It is estimated that around Rs 500 crore worth of textile fabrics from the city could not be dispatched to various destinations across the country.

The Ring Road is wearing a deserted look with very less movement of vehicles. More than 3,000 tempos that facilitate delivery of finished and unfinished goods from the weaving units and textile dyeing and printing mills to the textile markets too have stopped operating in view of the strike.

Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), Chairman textile Committee, Devkishan Manghani said that the textile sector was passing through recession since the past eight months. Traders were upbeat about doing a brisk business in the festive season. But, the transporters' strike has cast a dark shadow on the industry. SGCCI has urged the central government to bring an amicable solution to the issue.

According to textile traders, if the strike goes on for another 10 days, it will affect their business and will require more days to get the business back on track.

Meanwhile, the strike is likely to continue for another few days as the government is not ready to accept the demands of the transporters.