Surat : Diamond Production House at Ichhapore Gems and Jewellery Park Gathers Dust

Surat : In the heart of India’s diamond capital, a state-of-the-art production house stands silent, a testament to the unexpected twist in the city’s glittering story. Built by the Gujarat Hira Bourse (GHB) at Ichhapore Gems and Jewellery Park, the sprawling 10,000 square yard facility housing 32 diamond units remains eerily empty, a stark contrast to the vibrant clamor one would expect from such a hub.

“It’s a ghost town,” laments Rajesh Patel, owner of a small diamond unit. “They built this grand palace, but nobody wants to move in.” Patel’s words echo the sentiment of many diamond unit owners, who are hesitant to shift their operations to the new park.

The Gems and Jewellery Park, envisioned as a haven for Surat’s diamond industry, was meant to consolidate operations and provide modern infrastructure. But for many, its location is the rub. Nestled in Ichhapore, miles away from the bustling diamond district of Varachha, it severs the vital link with the skilled artisans who form the backbone of the industry.

“Our artisans live in Varachha,” explains Jayesh Vaghani, another unit owner. “Shifting means transportation costs skyrocket, eating into our already thin margins. Can you imagine running a business without your skilled workforce readily available?”

The larger companies, with their dedicated buses and resources, have managed to navigate the distance. But for smaller units, the prospect is daunting. “The GHB built a palace, but they forgot to build a bridge to the people who make the diamonds shine,” says Patel, his voice tinged with frustration.

The consequences are stark. The production house, a symbol of Surat’s ambition, stands as a hollow shell, its potential unrealized. The local economy suffers, with skilled workers facing uncertainty due to the sanctions on Russian diamonds by the US and G7 Nations and the diamond industry losing momentum.

“The government needs to listen to our concerns,” said a senior member of the Gems and Jewellery Park. “We need a solution, a way to bridge this distance and make this production house the beacon it was meant to be.”