Punjab traders claim Rs 20,000 crore loss due to farmers’ protest, say Haryana gained four times

Chandigarh: Businessmen in Punjab claim the state suffered an estimated loss of Rs 20,000 crore over the past 13 months due to the farmers’ protest, with industries reporting a 60% decline in business.

Many industrial units were forced to shut down, while several businesses shifted to Haryana and other states. Traders estimate that Haryana’s business has grown four times in the past two to three years.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, took strict measures to reopen the Shambhu and Khanauri borders with police intervention.

These borders had been closed for 13 months due to the protest. AAP leaders and ministers justified the move, citing economic losses to Punjab. The decision has been welcomed by the state’s industrial sector.

Industry representatives from Punjab’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Ludhiana’s woolen industry, and Jalandhar’s sports market association highlighted the negative impact of border closures on their businesses. They believe reopening the borders will help revive economic activity in Punjab.

Punjab Police had been preparing to clear the borders for 72 hours before the operation. A high-level meeting was held on March 18, chaired by Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav and Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, to plan the reopening.