In the outskirts of Ballari city, 60 jeans washing units operate, but 20 of them have ceased operations due to water scarcity over the past few days. The remaining units are barely functioning, relying heavily on tanker water. The situation is dire as borewells near the Mundragi area, which supply water to these units, are running dry, putting the entire industry at risk of closure.
The renowned Ballari jeans, known for their superior quality and international demand, are feeling the brunt of this water crisis. With some units already shut down and others struggling to sustain operations with tanker water, the future looks bleak for the jeans industry in the region.
Water scarcity during the summer months is not new to the jeans units in Ballari, but this year’s situation has exacerbated due to drying borewells. Despite efforts by some entrepreneurs to tap water from remote areas through pipelines, the severity of the drought has left most borewells depleted, triggering a scramble for water resources.
Although there has been a slight recovery in jeans sales compared to last year, the demand far outstrips the available supply. With 20 units already closed and others on the brink of shutdown, jeans businessmen are grappling with the inevitable prospect of halting production due to the water crisis.