Firozabad’s Glass Industry Falters as Gas Shortage Hits Peak Season

Firozabad, widely known as India’s “Glass City” for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition, is facing a severe industrial slowdown as furnaces fall silent amid a gas supply crisis triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict. The city’s glass units, which rely on continuous high-temperature gas-fired furnaces exceeding 1,000°C, have been forced to scale down operations drastically. With India prioritizing gas supply for essential sectors, industrial units have borne the brunt, leaving thousands of daily wage workers without jobs during what is typically the busiest production period.

The impact has been immediate and widespread. Units that once employed hundreds are now operating with less than half their workforce, while many smaller manufacturers have shut down entirely due to unaffordable or unavailable gas. The shortage has reduced output disproportionately, with a 20% cut in gas supply leading to nearly 40% production losses. An estimated 200,000 workers directly employed in the glass industry—and up to 500,000 including indirect roles—are now facing economic uncertainty, with industry leaders warning that prolonged disruption could wipe out the entire production season.

The crisis has also disrupted exports, a critical revenue stream for the sector. Shipments have dropped sharply as rising freight and insurance costs, coupled with reliance on Gulf shipping routes, make exports increasingly unviable. Container costs to Europe have surged by over 60%, while exports to Gulf countries have stalled. This dual blow of production constraints and logistical challenges highlights broader vulnerabilities in India’s manufacturing ecosystem, raising concerns about the country’s ambition to expand manufacturing’s share of the economy.

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