Indore’s Sarafa market has gold, but no gas to melt:5,000 Bengali artisans leave city, orders now take 15 days

Indore’s Sarafa Bazaar is currently grappling with a serious crisis. The shortage of commercial gas cylinders has posed a major challenge for gold and silver artisans. Bengali artisans are particularly the most affected. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that thousands of artisans have left their work and returned to West Bengal, while others are preparing to migrate. Gas cylinders essential for modern technology Sushant Samant, President of Devi Ahilya Bengali Swarna Shilpi Seva Samiti, explains that the art of jewelry making has changed with time. Gas has been in use since the year 2000, whereas earlier work was done with wax and lamps. Now, the entire technology is gas-based. Due to the shortage of commercial cylinders, there is a fear that work will come to a standstill in the next 15 days. The PNG line plan and survey had been done, but it could not be implemented. Artisans were ready to pay a cost of ₹80 thousand per shop, yet the work remains in limbo. The pain of migration, what is the city without livelihood
Around 20 thousand Bengali artisans work in Indore Sarafa. According to Abhijit Mahito, 4 to 5 thousand artisans have left the city due to gas shortage. He says, ‘We have no alternative. We only use commercial cylinders. When we call the gas agency, the answer we get is that there is no stock. Artisans also cook food on these cylinders.’ ‘Waiting Period’ increased, and working slowed down
The gas crisis is affecting jewelry delivery. According to Basant Soni, the work of Bengali artisans is not possible without gas, and work has stopped. All gold items depend on gas. Due to a gas shortage, the system has slowed down. Jewelry that used to be ready in 2-4 days now takes 15 days. According to Ravi Joshi, global circumstances and the gas crisis have dealt a double blow. Working has slowed down, and due to the unavailability of cylinders, artisans have gone to villages. Earlier jewelry was ready in 8-10 days, now it takes 15-20 days. Market uncertainty has made the situation more complex. For customers, budget is a priority, not weight
Amid the gas crisis and rising gold prices, there has been a change in customer behavior. According to jewelry traders, demand for lightweight ornaments has increased. Earlier, customers used to buy 30, 50, or 100 grams of gold; now they are shopping within a budget of ₹50 thousand or ₹1 lakh. Orders are there, but no cylinders
Artisans and traders say that if gas supply is not normalized or PNG does not start working within two weeks, the industry may come to a standstill. There are orders during the wedding season, but work is limited due to cylinder shortage. The jewelry market is the livelihood of thousands of families, but the entire structure is being affected by the gas crisis. Artisans are bearing the brunt of the lack of coordination between the administration and gas agencies. No confirmed tickets to go home
Artisans and traders say that if gas supply does not normalise within two weeks or PNG services do not begin, the industry could come to a halt. During the wedding season, orders have increased, but many artisans have already started returning home. There are long waiting lists on trains, and even ‘Tatkal’ tickets are unavailable. Many artisans are forced to travel in general compartments or by buses. Many artisans still registered to vote in Bengal Due to the West Bengal elections, artisans are also worried about their political responsibilities, creating a double burden for them. With limited work available, returning home has become a bigger concern than voting for many families dependent on the Sarafa market. Because of a divided voter base, some artisans are registered voters in Indore, while others are in Bengal. Those whose votes are in Bengal want to go back to participate in the elections, while those registered in Indore do not want to stay due to a lack of work.