Stitching a bright future: Bihar's rise in garment manufacturing

As land, labour, and operational costs continue to rise in India’s urban areas, apparel and textile companies are actively exploring cost-effective alternatives. This structural shift is steering investors’ focus toward rural and semi-urban regions with the potential to support large-scale manufacturing.

Among the frontrunners in this evolving landscape is Bihar, an eastern state increasingly being seen as a credible, long-term hub for textile and apparel production.

Bihar’s comparative advantage lies in its vast pool of affordable, trainable labour and a growing support system of enabling policies, infrastructure upgrades, and availability of land for industries.

With manufacturing decentralisation becoming a dominant trend, the state’s strategic location near the key consumer markets of Delhi and Kolkata, as well as proximity to states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and the neighbouring country Nepal, further strengthens its appeal.

This proximity reduces transportation time and logistics costs, facilitating faster delivery.

Union Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, during a recent visit to Patna, emphasised Bihar’s potential to become a major centre for readymade garment manufacturing.

He pointed to increasing interest from leading apparel manufacturers, several of whom are now setting up production units in the state. Begusarai, in particular, has already seen the commencement of operations at a few such facilities, indicating early-stage traction.

Institutional partnerships are also playing a key role in building industry-ready human capital. One notable example in this direction is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NIFT Patna—operating under the Ministry of Textiles—and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL), one of India’s largest fashion conglomerates.

The partnership, formally announced in the presence of Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, is aimed at empowering rural women through targeted skill development and direct employment integration.

The collaboration will train members of self-help groups, popularly known as Jeevika Didis, in core garment manufacturing processes, quality control systems, and machine operations.

These training sessions will be conducted at NIFT Patna and its extension centres.

Once trained, these women will be eligible for employment at ABFRL’s upcoming manufacturing unit in Begusarai.

As per the Union Minister of Textiles, the programme is expected to benefit over 3.5 lakh women in its initial phase, with plans to extend coverage to adjoining districts.

This integrated approach—linking skill development to formal employment within a structured industrial framework—is a model that could reshape Bihar’s textile landscape. It not only addresses workforce readiness but also promotes women’s economic inclusion, a key enabler of sustainable industrial growth.

The momentum is not limited to training and pilot projects.

In an important step toward strengthening Bihar’s apparel manufacturing base, a new readymade garment unit has also reportedly been announced in the Bela Industrial Area, Phase 2 of Muzaffarpur.

Developed by M/s Gogreen Apparel Limited, the project reportedly entails a private investment of ₹23.36 crore, and upon completion, the facility will reportedly have an estimated annual production capacity of 5.5 million garments.

As per media reports, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary confirmed that the unit falls within the textile and leather sector, which the state government has designated a high-priority industry under its recently approved Industrial Policy 2025.

The policy framework offers a comprehensive range of incentives—including capital subsidies, land allotments, tax exemptions, and dedicated support for skill development—intended to attract private investment and spur job creation.

He further emphasised that this unit represents a tangible step in Bihar’s broader industrial strategy. The goal is to position the state as a robust player in India’s textile manufacturing value chain while simultaneously enhancing its employment and economic growth metrics.

These efforts are being reinforced by investments in infrastructure and logistics designed to close existing gaps and prepare the state for scalable industrial activity.

While the outlook is positive, there remain some challenges nonetheless!

In several rural areas, unreliable electric supply poses a threat to production schedules while also raising the operational costs. Manufacturers are forced to rely on backup systems, which reduces cost competitiveness.

Limited warehousing facilities and last-mile connectivity also reportedly offer challenges, affecting supply chain reliability and turnaround times.

However, solutions are not that far. Infrastructure development is already underway, most notably through projects like the Eastern Freight Corridor, which is expected to significantly improve logistics.

This corridor will enhance connectivity with major ports and industrial centres, thereby enabling easier access to raw materials and reducing transportation delays for finished goods.

In parallel, the state government has reportedly taken proactive steps to allocate large tracts of land for industrial purposes, with a focus on textile parks and integrated garment clusters.

These developments are designed to accommodate modern factories and attract both domestic and foreign investors seeking cost-efficient and scalable production environments.

Several of these clusters are reportedly being designed with plug-and-play infrastructure, easing the entry barrier for manufacturers and reducing time-to-operations.

Bihar’s rising profile in the textile sector is also being aided by its competitive labour dynamics. The state's large working-age population—most of whom are young, semi-skilled, and wage-competitive—represents a strategic advantage in an industry that remains highly labour-intensive.

This creates a workforce pipeline that can meet industry-specific demands with minimal lag.

The Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy (BIIPP) has emerged as a critical growth enabler in this ecosystem. By offering targeted incentives tailored to the needs of manufacturing businesses, the policy aligns state support with market realities.

These include not only financial incentives but also institutional support, fast-tracked approvals, and sector-specific facilitation—key requirements for scaling operations quickly and sustainably.

Industry experts note that Bihar’s trajectory is timely. With global brands increasingly diversifying their sourcing strategies and India aiming to capture a larger share of the global textile market, non-traditional manufacturing destinations like Bihar stand to gain. The state’s potential lies in its ability to offer cost-effective and reliable production capacity by moving production away from congested and costlier hubs.

For exporters, manufacturers, and investors, Bihar today represents more than just a low-cost production base. It is a strategic growth opportunity—one that aligns with both domestic expansion and global supply chain realignment.

With proactive policy support, improving infrastructure, and deepening public-private collaboration, the state is setting the foundation for long-term industrial relevance in the textile and apparel sector.

While some infrastructure gaps and logistical challenges linger, Bihar is rapidly closing the gap between potential and performance and for an industry in transition, seeking scale, cost efficiency, and sustainability.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DR)