Arvind opens new Varanasi plant

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated Arvind Limited's first garment manufacturing facility in Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi. The plant will create more than 1,000 jobs, predominantly for women, and produce knitwear using automated sewing systems.

Developed with an investment of about ₹150 crore ($17m), the 5.5-acre facility has roughly 65,000 sq ft of built-up space and a stated revenue potential of ₹250 crore ($28m).

The plant will use knitted fabric produced in-house, extending Arvind's vertical integration and adding garment capacity for European and UK markets following recently signed free trade agreements.

Arvind chairman Sanjay Lalbhai said: "We are particularly proud that this investment will create large-scale employment opportunities, with women expected to form a significant part of the workforce."

The company has built worker hostels and plans further residential infrastructure as operations expand.