As of 2:45 PM IST, Sunday 25 October 2026. Based on PTI and ANI reports of the inauguration on Sunday, 25 October, carried by The Economic Times, Rediff Money and others, plus BusinessLine's reports on the Mann Ki Baat broadcast and the Gaya industrial cluster. Investment and job figures are as stated by officials and reported by news agencies. Arvind had not published a detailed capacity figure at the time of writing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday opened a new garment factory built by Ahmedabad-based textile maker Arvind Ltd in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency. ANI reported that the plant cost about ₹150 crore. Officials said it would mainly employ women and make clothing for export.
The plant at a glance
| Item | Detail (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Company | Arvind Ltd (founded 1931, headquartered in Ahmedabad) |
| Location | Khochwan, Mirzamurad area, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh |
| Investment | About ₹150 crore (ANI) |
| Site | About 7–8 acres. ANI described it as Arvind's first large plant in the Purvanchal region. |
| Products | Sportswear, innerwear and other garments, including for brands such as Jockey, US Polo and Arrow (ANI) |
| Workforce | Mainly women. Reports say more than 300 women have been recruited for training. |
| Expansion | Planned in two phases, with the potential for thousands of jobs (ANI) |
What was said at the launch
An official statement quoted by PTI said the plant uses modern manufacturing practices, will create jobs "particularly for women" and, with a global customer base, will help take garments made in Varanasi to international markets. It described the project as mostly led by women and in line with the government's focus on "women-led development". Modi spoke with women trainees about their work and the problems they face, and visited an exhibition of Arvind products, including khadi garments. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present.
Why it matters
Garment-making employs large numbers of people, especially women, and is one of the main ways India hopes to turn manufacturing growth into jobs. Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchal) has historically had fewer large garment factories than India's established textile centres, so a branded-apparel plant there is a notable addition, though its real impact will depend on how fast hiring grows and whether the second phase goes ahead.
For Arvind, the plant adds garment capacity in a state with a large labour pool. Arvind works across the textile chain, from yarn and fabric (denim, cotton, linen and suiting) to finished clothing.
Part of a wider push on Sunday
- Mann Ki Baat: In the 139th episode of his monthly radio programme, marking 12 years of the broadcast, Modi urged listeners to buy local products during the Diwali and Chhath season. He said "Vocal for Local" was helping Indian goods reach world markets, citing makhana from Purnia in Bihar being sold in Greece and arhar dal from Kalaburagi in Karnataka being exported to the Maldives.
- Gaya cluster: On Saturday, the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation launched the company that will build the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster in Gaya, Bihar. It signed 12 MoUs covering about 300 acres, with proposed investments of about ₹4,200 crore. The 1,670-acre project is expected to attract about ₹16,500 crore and create around 1.1 lakh jobs, according to the Commerce Ministry. Textiles and garments are among its target sectors.
What to watch
- Arvind's next earnings update, for capacity, timelines and how much the plant will contribute to revenue.
- How many jobs are actually created in phase one, compared with the "thousands" mentioned.
- Whether more apparel makers follow with plants in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Related reading on HorizonDesk
- Starting a small business in India: Udyam MSME registration and its benefits
- How Diwali is celebrated across India
Sources
- The Economic Times / PTI: PM Modi inaugurates Arvind's garment manufacturing facility in Varanasi (25 Oct 2026)
- Rediff Money / PTI: PM Modi opens Arvind Ltd garment plant in Varanasi (25 Oct 2026)
- Asianet Newsable / ANI: PM Modi inaugurates Arvind Limited textile plant in Varanasi (25 Oct 2026)
- Indian Economic Observer / ANI: ₹150-crore Arvind plant, over 300 women recruited for training
- BusinessLine: Modi highlights exports, local products and deep-tech start-ups in Mann Ki Baat (25 Oct 2026)
- BusinessLine / ANI: NICDC launches Bihar Integrated Manufacturing City Gaya, signs 12 MoUs worth ₹4,200 crore
