Question
Why has cotton textile or Jute textile industry developed in West Bengal?
Answer
The causes of the development of the Cotton textile industry in West Bengal are
- Nearness to the raw cotton fields Raw Cotton (medium and short-staple) is obtained from the suburbs of Kolkata. For the increasing demand for cotton fabric, farmers in many areas are now growing cotton on the loamy alluvial soil of the Hugli basin.
- The humid climate prevailing at the mill, centres is ideal for spinning and weaving.
- Electricity is available from the thermal power plants of the CESC, WBSEB and the D.V.C.
- Well well-developed network of transport systems in and around Kolkata has helped the development of cotton mills here.
- Cheap skilled and unskilled labour is available from West Bengal and adjoining states of Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand etc.
- The chemical industry of Haldia supplies chemicals for dyeing.
- Water is available from the Hugli River.
