Development of a country or a state is reflected on what and how much it
is contributing in the main stream of the flow of currency. In 1962
Bikaner joined the Industrial Development movement. Though somewhat late
but in this short span of time its rise is far too long.
The first industrial area was delineated and the Bikaner district
association formed, in between 1967-70 . The callous condition of living
in Bikaner which made most of the Bikanerites to move to other regions
and start there business there. But now the circumstances has been
changed by the hard working and strength of Bikanerites. And also
businessman were encouraged by the state authorities to start industries
in their home district. Now not only Bikanerites but people from nearby
areas are also participating in this eruption of industrial development.
It was
early eighties that the small scale industries got the focus and the
advancement was achieved at the end of eighties. Industries based on
wool, Agricultural products, Chemicals and Ceramics were started in this
period. In the present industrial estate, there are 250 fully developed
plots with industries working on them . In 1980 , the Bikaner industries
association mooted the idea of a second industrial estate and
accordingly an area of 250 acres of land was set aside and the
foundation stone for the scheme was laid by the Chief Minister Shiv
Charan Mathur, on October 20, 1982.
The most flourishing industries in Bikaner are:
Woolen Industry:
Bikaner has been the biggest Woolen mandi (Mart) not only in India but
also in Asia. The city has been a center of wool trade for over 185
years. The wool from Bikaner is being used at Badhohi, Uttar Pradesh for
making of quality carpets. It has been famous for carpet making for
centuries. Bikaner Jail is still famous for its carpet weaving.
Ceramic Industry:
Bikaner has some good deposit of Gypsum at Jamsar, Kolayat 40km from
Bikaner. Industries based on white clay, fullers-earth, and yellow ocher
are working in Bikaner. Maharaja Ganga Singh had sent silica-sand to
Belgium and quality glass articles using this raw material had been
specially manufactured and can be seen in the museum in Bikaner even
today.
Bikaner has emerged
as main center for ceramic industry with 30 ceramic units
development is continuing more and more entrepreneurs are coming forward
to set up ceramic industries.
Bhujiya and Namkeen Industry:
Bikaner is famous worldwide for its Papad and Bhujia. Bhujia has always
been identified with Bikaner. The tasty Rajasthani food can never be
completed without Bhujia , which is actually a Namkeen prepared with the
strength of arm. There are hundreds of big and small units making Papad
and Bhujia which provide employment to thousands of people. At present
there are about 425 units producing Bhujia in Bikaner district and
nearby areas of Shri Dungargarh, Churu, Nagaur and Sri-Gaganagar. Out of
these only a few have a proper plant and well planned production system,
the rest are small and cottage type industries.
The future of industrial
development of Bikaner is bright with two essential ingredients, water
from the Rajasthan canal and power from the Suratgarh Thermal Power
Plant. Development in Bikaner is likely to get a major boost plus the
ever hard working population of Bikaner which has evolved itself from
the hard terrain life with very less resources and now after Rajasthan
canal it is definitely going to be an emerging city.
